Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has finally addressed the intense backlash stemming from accusations of cheating during the high-profile Internet Invitational tournament in 2025. The former professional golfer, known for her massive social media following and candid personality, admitted to a rules infraction but firmly denied any intentional wrongdoing, describing the incident as an embarrassing mistake.
The controversy erupted during the final match of the $1 million event organized by Barstool Sports. Spiranac was teamed with Frankie Borrelli and Good Good Golf’s Malosi Togisala in an alternate-shot format against Brad Dalke, Francis Ellis, and Cody “Beef” Franke. On the ninth hole, Spiranac was caught on camera pressing down tall grass in the rough around Togisala’s ball, improving his lie before he hit a remarkable recovery shot.
Opponents and commentators quickly raised concerns, with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy questioning on air whether Spiranac had effectively “put that on a tee” for her teammate. The action violated golf rules prohibiting players from improving the line of play or lie in such a manner. Confronted during the round, Spiranac became emotional, breaking down in tears and insisting she was unaware of the rule.
In an Instagram Q&A session weeks later, Spiranac opened up about the ordeal. “I am painfully, painfully embarrassed that I did not know that rule,” she said. “But I would never intentionally cheat. In all of my years of playing golf, I have never been accused of cheating.” She explained that she mistakenly believed the high grass qualified as a loose impediment, which can be moved without penalty in certain situations.
Spiranac emphasized the implausibility of deliberate cheating given the circumstances: “There were so many cameras on me—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.”
The incident overshadowed much of the tournament, compounded by a separate controversy involving Togisala’s potential use of the slope function on his rangefinder, which was prohibited. Ultimately, Spiranac’s team lost on the 18th hole, with many observers viewing the defeat as poetic justice amid the allegations.
The fallout was severe for Spiranac, who revealed she received tens of thousands of death threats and vile messages in the aftermath. “The last week-and-a-half is probably the worst hate I’ve ever received in the 10 years of me doing this,” she shared, noting that the abuse was so extreme she considered legal action, including restraining orders.
Despite the negativity, Spiranac later demonstrated grace by anonymously donating her winnings from the event’s skins game—estimated at $15,000 to $16,000—to the family foundation of Cody “Beef” Franke, a member of the winning team who tragically passed away shortly after the tournament. The gesture, revealed by opponent Francis Ellis, was made quietly without seeking public credit.
Spiranac, a former Division I collegiate golfer who turned pro before transitioning to influencing, has long been a polarizing figure in the sport for her bold style and outspoken views. This episode, however, highlighted the darker side of online fame, where a single moment can ignite disproportionate outrage.
As the dust settles, Spiranac appears focused on moving forward, reaffirming her passion for golf while vowing to uphold its integrity. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between honest mistakes and perceived misconduct in a game built on honor—and the amplified scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.
