The captivating Paige Spiranac brought Internet intrigue to the sport of golf during her days at San Diego State University. Social media loves her, and half a million Instagram followers can’t be wrong, especially when it comes to marketability. Sponsors flocked and took her to the streets. Unfortunately, Spiranac has met accusations that her rising spot in the game is down to her stunning looks, famed wiggle, and video clips like this one.
That's where you keep your spare balls :) @CoachLockey @PaigeSpiranac pic.twitter.com/8vaoIsfJV1
— Mark Crossfield (@4golfonline) December 7, 2015
.@PaigeSpiranac driving towards Dubai in the @OmegaDLM practice round. pic.twitter.com/WeCf83Vs8d
— Mark Crossfield (@4golfonline) December 8, 2015
Spiranac’s LPGA aspirations met a stumbling block this week after she entered her first pro tournament, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, through a sponsor’s exemption. Before the tournament, World Golf Hall of Famer Laura Davies (who must not be into social media) dropped the slightest of shade over Spiranac’s reputation:
“I don’t know her from a bar of soap. I really don’t. I’ve obviously heard what some of the players have said, but I’ve not met her … I mean, good luck to her. Everyone needs a chance and if she’s a good player, then it’s great she’s here. If she’s here for any other reason than she’s a great golfer, then it’s a little bit pointless.”
Golfing shade is the darkest shade. Sadly for Spiranac, she finished equal 101st in a field of 108, though she did finish above four pro golfers. While meeting with the press, Spiranac said, “A bar of soap could have probably played better,” before speaking through tears:
“It was just a tough week for me, a lot of stress. It was a great learning experience for me, I’m going to take a lot from it. I was invited here and wanted to prove it was for reasons other than just my social media.”
Spiranac says she’ll take a break from social media to refocus on her game. She did receive encouragement from former D1 golfer Samantha Roberts, who thinks Spiranac is “helping make golf cool again.”
https://twitter.com/SamanthaRoberts/status/675003800386707457
We’ll miss Spiranac if she truly steps away from Instagram. Thankfully, she Instagrammed some photos while in Dubai.
https://instagram.com/p/-2dx5bCgVp/
And here are some of Spiranac’s most recent greatest hits.
https://instagram.com/p/-KUMhqigXj/
(Via USA Today & The National)
