Key Takeaways:
- Golf influencer Paige Spiranac revealed she has received “tens of thousands of death threats” following a cheating controversy.
- The backlash stemmed from an incident at the “Internet Invitational,” a golf tournament hosted by Barstool Sports, where she was filmed improving her ball’s lie.
- Spiranac claims it was an unintentional rules violation, stating she was “painfully embarrassed” and would never deliberately cheat.
- The severity of the online harassment prompted her to take a break from social media for her mental health and even consider a restraining order.
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has opened up about a torrent of severe online harassment, including death threats, after she was embroiled in a cheating scandal during a recent high-profile tournament. The social media star stated the backlash has been the “worst hate” she has experienced in her decade-long career.
The “Internet Invitational” Controversy
The incident occurred during the final match of the “Internet Invitational,” a 48-person tournament featuring influencers and YouTubers organized by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports. Spiranac was part of a team competing for a $1 million prize when she was caught on camera improving her lie.
The moment sparked immediate controversy online after the footage was posted to YouTube. Spiranac, who appeared emotional on camera after the incident, claimed she was unaware it was a rules violation. Her team ultimately lost the match on the 18th hole.
Spiranac Reveals “Worst Hate” in a Decade
In a recent Instagram story, Spiranac detailed the extreme nature of the abuse she has faced since the tournament footage was released.
“The last week and a half is probably the worst hate I’ve ever received in the 10 years of me doing this,” she explained. “I’m talking tens of thousands of death threats, people telling me to kill myself. The most vile, horrendous stuff you could ever say to an individual that’s been in my DMs.”
Spiranac added that the situation escalated to the point where she discussed “having to potentially get a restraining order.” Due to the intense harassment, she took a step back from her social media platforms to protect her well-being.
“I know people are wondering why I haven’t posted or why I haven’t talked about it. I just needed to remove myself for my mental health,” she said.
An Unintentional Mistake
Spiranac has since addressed the rules infraction, expressing deep regret and embarrassment over the mistake. She insisted that she would never intentionally cheat in a competitive setting.
“I am painfully, painfully embarrassed that I did not know this rule,” Spiranac stated. “I would never intentionally cheat… To blatantly cheat with that many people around, that many cameras around, would be insane. So, I made a mistake. I learned now that it was a rules infraction, and I’ll never do it again.”
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