Paige Spiranac Opens Up After Controversy

Paige Spiranac is feeling the impact of the recent Internet Invitational more deeply than expected.

In a revealing series of Instagram Stories shared Tuesday, the prominent golf influencer discussed the intense backlash following a cheating scandal linked to the event that took place last month. She mentioned receiving “tens of thousands of death threats” as a result.

“The last week and a half has been probably the worst hate experience I’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been in this job,” Spiranac shared. “We’re talking about serious threats, people telling us to harm ourselves, and just some of the most horrible things imaginable in our DMs. It’s gotten so serious that we’re even considering a restraining order. It’s really tough—it’s never easy.”

Spiranac, 32, decided to take a break from her social media platforms, where she has a following of over 5 million, to focus on her mental well-being.

“I know people are probably curious why I went silent. Honestly, I just needed some time for my mental health,” she explained. “Dealing with public perception is something I struggle with. I really want people to like me and feel accepted, so when negativity comes in, it can be overwhelming.” She added that having a supportive family around her has helped, even though it’s still a struggle.

During the tournament, Spiranac faced accusations of altering a teammate’s ball position during the final round of the $1 million Internet Invitational, which was set up as a three-on-three alternative shot match. She clarified that she believed this was permissible, admitting she felt “very embarrassed” for not knowing all the rules.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a week and a half, and I genuinely appreciate everyone who reached out to check on me. All the support truly means a lot,” she concluded.