Meet The Sponsor Invitees Teeing it up at The ANNIKA This Week

There's plenty of buzz surrounding the LPGA's penultimate event this week.

It all started with WNBA star Caitlin Clark making her second appearance in The ANNIKA pro am alongside Nelly Korda, who is the defending champion. This iconic duo gave the people plenty to talk about—from their 'fits to the sheer talent between the two athletes—we're going to need this to be an annual occurrence.

Additionally there's another major storyline happening this week and the thing everyone seems to be talking about. It's a pretty historic milestone not just in women's golf but in golf period. A relative of the current sitting President is in competing in a professional field.

The 18-year-old granddaughter of the 47th President of the United States, Kai Trump, is making her LPGA Tour Debut—but she's not alone. The tournament granted two other sponsor exemptions to former Northwestern Wildcat Lauryn Nguyen and Wake Forrest Demon Deacon Anne-Sterre den Dunnen.

Let's take a closer look at each player and how they got to this week on Tour.

Related: Love 'Em or Not, Sponsor Invites Make The Golf World Go 'Round

Anne-Sterre den Dunnen

The 22-year-old Dutch golfer is making her first LPGA start.

She received the exception after her collegiate team, Wake Forest, earned a team victory this past September at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate.

Den Dunnen, a senior, is in her fourth and final year with the Demon Deacons. In 27 events, Dutch native has earned four top-10 finishes and a career-high top-five finish last season as a junior.

She was also a member of the 2023 National Championship team and two ACC championship teams.

Lauryn Nguyen

Nguyen was an crucial member of the reigning NCAA women's golf National Championship team at Northwestern. It was the storybook ending to her four year career with the Wildcats.

Over the course of those four years, Nguyen wouldn't miss a match for the Wildcats, appearing in 137 rounds. In her senior season she lead her team with seven rounds in the 60s and captured her second collegiate win.

After the National Championship, NBC Sports put out an incredible story about Nguyen and her family and all that her parents had to overcome in their journey to the States. They defied the odds for the sake of a better future, where their children could live out their dreams.

This summer, Nguyen turned pro and the whole thing has been quite the adjustment—with this week being an extra special treat. "I came out of college and turned pro, it was a really big adjustment. Financially I had to grab everything out of my pocket. Even coming to this event for media day, I didn't have a place to stay or practice," she said in her press conference alongside pro am partner Caitlin Clark and tournament host Annika Sorenstam.

"Chief Doyle was fortunate enough to come up and make smalltalk, but he got me a place to stay. I'm staying with some amazing members here. I got a place to practice. Been back and forth between here and Belleair."

Kai Trump

All eyes will be on Trump this week—including her few million followers watching along at home. With more than 6 million followers across her Instagram and TikTok, the teen has garnered quite the attention with her content.

In preparation for her first professional start, she's been bringing viewers inside the ropes.

The University of Miami commit spoke to the media ahead of the first round on what her family and friends have been saying to her, including a certain Mr. Tiger Woods, who is in a relationship with Trump's mother.

"I mean, he is the best golfer in the entire world. I would say that. And even better person. He told me to go out there and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens."

How to Watch

Tune in and follow along with these three young women with live scoring here, and TV coverage on Golf Channel and NBC Digital.

Friday, November 14: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Golf Channel/ Digital)

Saturday, November 15: 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Digital); 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)

Sunday, November 16: 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Digital); 2:00-4:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)