Paige Spiranac’s Emotional Battle with Online Hate During Golf Tournament
In a heart-wrenching moment of vulnerability, golf influencer Paige Spiranac recently opened up about the wave of hateful comments she received during the $1 million Internet Invitational tournament. Taking to Instagram, Spiranac shared her emotional struggle with cyberbullying, revealing messages so vicious they brought her to tears. One particularly disturbing direct message, which she courageously displayed in full, contained profanity-laced death wishes that struck at her core. These attacks came at what should have been a celebratory time for Spiranac, who was participating in the groundbreaking Barstool Sports/Bob Does Sports golf influencer tournament that has captured the attention of fans across the country. The tournament brought together 48 golf content creators, with Spiranac as one of the headliners. Her team had successfully advanced through the opening matches, positioning her as a contender for the impressive million-dollar prize in this pre-recorded event that will be released over the coming weeks.
What made these attacks particularly devastating for Spiranac was how they triggered deep-seated insecurities she’s battled throughout her life. “This hate, for some reason, has just been really hitting home for me,” she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. “I struggled socially my entire life… in big groups of people, making friends, keeping friends, relating to other people, reading social cues, saying the right thing at the right time.” This admission reveals a surprising contrast to her public persona as a confident social media star. Despite her massive following and apparent ease in front of the camera, Spiranac admitted, “I know it might sound weird considering what I do, but I’m just not effortlessly liked.” This glimpse behind the carefully curated online image shows the human vulnerability that exists even for those who appear to have mastered the social media landscape.
The Internet Invitational represented more than just a tournament for Spiranac—it was a rare moment where she felt genuinely accepted in an industry where she’s often faced criticism and judgment. “At the end of the invitational, I was really excited because I felt like I could fit in in the industry,” she shared, highlighting how meaningful the experience had been for her. “I know there are more important things in life than wanting to be liked, and I want to fit in—and I’ve tried 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.” This moment of belonging made the subsequent online attacks all the more painful, as they shattered the positive feelings she’d experienced during the actual event.
The disconnect between Spiranac’s lived experience at the tournament and the hateful reactions to her participation exposed a painful reality many content creators face in today’s digital landscape. “Then now, to watch it back and the deep insecurities of childhood, whatever, is all coming back, and it’s confirmation that, no, you’re actually not liked, you’re annoying, and no one likes you. And you suck, and you’re terrible, and all these things,” she explained through tears. The psychological whiplash was profound: “And it’s just hard because you felt good in that moment… then it’s like, just kidding.” This raw confession highlights the toll that online hate takes on public figures, who often must endure relentless criticism and mockery that most people would find unbearable.
Spiranac’s willingness to show her emotional response to cyberbullying has resonated with many followers who have experienced similar treatment online. While she has built a significant following as a golf influencer, her path hasn’t been without challenges. She’s faced scrutiny over everything from her golf skills to her choice of attire on the course, with critics often focusing more on her appearance than her contributions to popularizing the sport. The hateful messages during the Internet Invitational represent just the latest chapter in an ongoing battle with online toxicity that many influential women face in male-dominated spaces like sports. Despite building a successful brand and platform, Spiranac’s emotional response reveals that even those who appear resilient can be deeply wounded by targeted harassment.
The morning after sharing her emotional stories, Spiranac returned to Instagram with a characteristic attempt to lighten the mood. “Hi, good morning,” she wrote alongside a thumbs-up pose. “Sorry for being emo last night, but thank you again for all the super kind messages. I’ll save my deep, dark insecurities for therapy next time lol.” This follow-up demonstrates Spiranac’s resilience and determination to move forward despite the challenges. While her moment of vulnerability provided an important window into the real human impact of cyberbullying, her quick recovery speaks to her strength of character. As she continues to navigate the complex world of social media influence, Spiranac’s candid sharing of both her struggles and her determination serves as a powerful reminder that behind every online persona is a real person with genuine feelings, insecurities, and the universal human desire to belong.
