Spiranac call seen as the right decision
Organisers say social media queen will be invited back
Organisers of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters have justified the decision to hand Instagram sweetheart Paige Spiranac her professional debut at the tournament, saying the event needs to be “entertaining”.
The 22-year-old American invite missed the cut at the Ladies European Tour (LET) season-ender at Emirates Golf Club having shot 12 over par with scores of 77 and 79, to finish tied for 101st in a field of 108 players. That sparked talk that she had only been invited because of her good looks and half a million social media followers, and not her ability to actually play golf.
But LET chief executive officer (CEO) Ivan Khodabakhsh defended the decision. “It’s a professional tournament, but that means we also need to be entertaining,” he said of Spiranac, who has tasted some provincial success at University and junior level back in the states.
“We focus on competitive sport, but entertainment is a big part of this, too. Whatever brings more attention, not just to this tournament, but to women’s golf is good for the game.
Great impact
“People who have not been close to women’s golf look at it and say ‘wow, this is actually cool, I want to be a part of it’.
“So she’s had a great impact not just here but internationally. We have broadcasters calling us up wanting to see more. That’s only good for everybody,” he added.
Mohammad Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of event organisers Golf in Dubai agreed.
“I think for us, it’s had a big impact, especially in the United States. This is why we brought her. The girl didn’t make the cut, but I did not expect her to make the cut because it’s her first tournament, and she had so much pressure on her. But I’m very happy to have her and we’ll have her back if she wants to come back.”