‘It’s not just about my looks’
WORKING HARD: The Women’s Tour has been accused of inviting Paige Spiranac for her glamour AFTER Paige Spiranac shot a 77 in her first top-flight event as a professional, the American felt obliged to defend herself against critics who suggest she has been invited to play in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters only because of her looks and social media presence.
Spiranac, 22, has almost half-a-million followers on Instagram and has been billed as an “internet sensation” as her trick shots video has amassed more than 1.5 million views on YouTube. In July, one American magazine dubbed her as “the hottest female athlete on Earth” and after she turned pro in August, it was inevitable that sponsors would be drawn to her, despite her not having a card on any tour.
But there were eyebrows raised when she was invited to the fourth most valuable tournament on the Ladies European Tour, and although no players have gone on record to voice dissent, there has been unrest on the range that she has taken the spot from more worthy candidates.
Spiranac, a former gymnast, was a good amateur, but not considered among the elite.
She is determined to prove her worth: “I understand where they are coming from. I’ve had good results, but … compared to the top players in the world, I’m not in the same league.
“But I wish they could see that I’m working as hard as I can. I may make it, I may not. I’m trying to focus on what I need to do … and not on what they say.” — ©