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Golf influencer Paige Spiranac tried to hold back tears as she revealed hateful and negative comments she received online during the recent $1 million Internet Invitational.
Spiranac posted several Instagram stories explaining the hate she received in her direct messages and elsewhere, which she admitted brought insecurities from her past.
The first story involved a vulgar direct message, which she posted in its entirety.
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Paige Spiranac attends Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2” New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2025 in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“I hate you,” the message read. “You stupid b—- thinks you’re so much better than everyone else at the Internet Invitational. Get killed, you stupid c—.”
Spiranac has participated in the Barstool Sports/Bob Does Sports golf influencer tournament that has captivated fans. But she was brought to tears as she explained how she “struggled socially” throughout her life.
PAIGE SPIRANAC OPENS UP ABOUT GOLF POLITICS DESPITE TAKING HEAT FROM THE FASHION POLICE
“This hate, for whatever reason, has really gotten to me,” she said. “I struggled socially my whole life… in large groups of people, making friends, keeping friends, relating to other people, reading social cues, saying the right thing at the right time.
“…I know it might sound weird considering what I do, but I’m just not effortlessly liked. …So at the end of the invitation, I was really excited because I felt like I could fit into the industry.”
The first of its kind invitation brought together 48 golf content creators, with Spiranac being one of the main names. Her team advanced through the opening matches of the first week of the tournament, giving her 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 released by the two 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 spent a lot of my life trying to find places where I can fit in. And when I went to the Internet Invitational, I felt really good.”
While the moment felt great for Spiranac, she said watching the tournament back has brought up her earlier insecurities.
“So now, to look back on it, and the deep insecurities of childhood, whatever, it all comes back, and it’s a confirmation that no, you’re actually disliked, you’re annoying, and nobody likes you. And you stink, and you’re horrible, and all these things. And it’s just hard, because you were feeling good in that moment… then it’s just fun.”
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 has had to deal with hateful comments as she rose in popularity on social media as well as in the golf community. But she gave an update on Tuesday morning with a different Instagram story.
“Hi, good morning,” she captioned a photo with a thumbs-up pose. “Sorry for being emo last night but thanks again for all the super kind messages. I’ll save my deep dark insecurities for therapy next time lol.”
