Golf influencer Paige Spiranac became emotional as she shared the harsh online criticisms she faced during the recent $1 million Internet Invitational. In a series of Instagram Stories, she opened up about the hateful messages, which triggered insecurities from her past.
One particularly vulgar direct message she highlighted said, “I hate you. You think you’re better than everyone at the Internet Invitational. Go kill yourself.”
Despite participating in a tournament that draws fans, Spiranac broke down while reflecting on her lifelong social struggles. “This hatred really hits home for me,” she mentioned, admitting that she has often found it difficult to make and keep friends and read social cues. “It may seem odd given my public persona, but I’m not easily liked,” she added. The event, which featured 48 golf content creators, gave her a sense of belonging in the industry.
As her team progressed through the first week of competition, she felt a surge of excitement about fitting in. However, looking back on it now, those old insecurities resurfaced. “It’s like all my childhood fears are confirmed,” she explained, feeling as though the moment of triumph was countered by an avalanche of self-doubt – as if the good feelings were simply a joke.
Throughout her rise in popularity within the golf community and on social media, Spiranac has faced a barrage of negative comments. In a light-hearted update the following morning, she reassured her followers: “Good morning! I apologize for being so emotional last night. Thank you for your support. I’ll save my deeper anxieties for therapy,” she joked.
