NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac tried to hold back tears while exposing the hateful and negative comments she received online during the recent million-dollar Internet Invitational.
Spiranac posted several stories on Instagram in which she explained the hate she received in her direct messages and elsewhere, which she admitted brought up insecurities from her past.
The first story involved a vulgar direct message that she posted in full.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Paige Spiranac attends the New York Premiere of Netflix’s ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ at Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2025, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“I hate you,” the message said. “You stupid bastard, you think you’re so much better than everyone at the Internet Invitational. Go kill yourself, you stupid bastard.”
Spiranac participated in the Barstool Sports/Bob Does Sports golf influencer tournament that captivated fans. But she cried as she explained how she had “struggled socially” throughout her life.
PAIGE SPIRANAC TALKS GOLF OUTFIT DESPITE HEAT FROM THE FASHION POLICE
“This hatred, for some reason, really hit me,” she said. “I’ve struggled socially my whole life…in large groups of people, making friends, keeping friends, building relationships with other people, reading social cues, saying the right thing at the right time.
“…I know this might sound weird considering what I do, but I just don’t get appreciated without effort. …So, at the end of the invitation, I was really excited because I felt like I could fit into the industry.”
This invitation, the first of its kind, brought together 48 golf content creators, Spiranac being one of the headliners. His team advanced in the opening matches during the first week of the tournament, giving them a chance to compete for the coveted $1 million prize.
Paige Spiranac speaks on stage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at the Jacob Javits Center on August 17, 2024, in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)
The event was pre-recorded and will be broadcast by both creators over the next two weeks.
“I know there are more important things in life than wanting to be liked, and I want to fit in – and I’ve been trying for a lot of my life to find places where I can fit in. And when I was at the Internet Invitational, I felt really good.”
While the moment was great for Spiranac, she said watching the tournament brought out her past insecurities.
“And then now looking at that and the deep insecurities of childhood, whatever, it all comes back, and it’s confirmation that, no, you’re actually not loved, you’re boring, and no one likes you. And you’re rubbish, and you’re horrible, and all these things. And it’s just hard because you felt good at the time…so it’s like, just kidding.”
Paige Spiranac plays the 17th green during the Creator Classic at the Philly Cricket Club, prior to the Truist Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course) on May 7, 2025, in Flourtown Philadelphia. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Spiranac faced hateful comments as she gained popularity on social media as well as in the golf community. But she gave the update Tuesday morning with another Instagram story.
“Hi, hello,” she captioned a photo with a thumbs-up pose. “Sorry for being emo last night, but thanks again for all the super sweet messages. I’ll save my deep, dark insecurities for therapy next time lol.”
