Paige Spiranac is back in the golf spotlight, but this time she's owning up to some of her past actions. The social media star and former pro golfer recently appeared in a YouTube video with Barstool Sports' Foreplay brand, taking on the trio's founding members in a 3-on-1 challenge. However, the real story isn't about the match—it's about what she learned from a controversial moment earlier this year.
Spiranac's last collaboration with Barstool came during The Internet Invitational, a high-stakes tournament co-hosted by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports. Her team fought all the way to the final round, where they competed for a $1 million prize. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Spiranac struggled on the course and made headlines for the wrong reasons.
During the final round, she taunted opponent Francis Ellis for not knowing basic golf etiquette, saying he “hasn’t played competitive golf” before. The comment didn't sit well with viewers, especially after she was accused of cheating by stomping through tall grass—similar to Bryson DeChambeau's controversial move at the British Open. When confronted about the rules violation, Spiranac broke down in tears.
The backlash was brutal. Spiranac took a break from social media, revealing on her Instagram story that she received tens of thousands of death threats. “The last week and a half is probably the worst hate I’ve ever received in the 10 years of me doing this,” she said. “People telling me to kill myself. The most vile, horrendous stuff you could ever say to an individual.” She even discussed getting a restraining order due to the severity of the threats.
Now, Spiranac is addressing those regrets head-on. In her recent chat with Foreplay, she admitted that her “biggest regret” was the comment to Ellis. “I regretted saying it the moment it came out of my mouth,” she confessed. Fortunately, the two have since mended fences. Ellis reached out to Spiranac, encouraging her to return to this year's event, which she plans to do. The prize pool for the upcoming tournament could reach $4 million.
This isn't the first time paige spiranac has made waves in the golf world, but it's a reminder that even influencers face tough moments. Her willingness to own up to her mistakes is a refreshing change in a sport where egos often run high. As she prepares for the next Internet Invitational, fans will be watching to see if she can turn regret into redemption.
The incident also highlights the darker side of online fame. While Spiranac's taunt was a minor misstep, the hate she received was extreme. It serves as a cautionary tale about the intensity of social media scrutiny, especially in high-pressure environments like million-dollar competitions. For now, Spiranac is focused on moving forward, with a renewed appreciation for the game and its community.
