Golf influencer Paige Spiranac is set to return to the Internet Invitational tournament, despite the cheating controversy and death threats she faced last year. The event, hosted by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports, will feature an expanded prize pool of US$4 million, as announced by Barstool founder Dave Portnoy.
Last Year's Controversy
During the 2025 final, Spiranac was caught on camera flattening grass in front of her teammate Malosi Togisala's ball in the rough, improving his lie. English pro golfer Peter Finch noticed the infraction, but no penalty was assessed. Spiranac's team lost the match on the final hole.
Finch later commented, "That lie in the rough there, it was s***. Paige has gone ahead to the ball and literally pressed down all the long in front so he could hit it out. There's no way he could have hit that shot without that."
Death Threats and Social Media Backlash
Following the incident, Spiranac revealed she received "tens of thousands of death threats" and was overwhelmed by the hate. During an Instagram Live Q&A, she said, "The last week and a half is probably the worst hate I've ever received in the ten years of me doing this. I'm talking tens of thousands of death threats, people telling me to kill myself, the most vile, horrendous stuff you could ever say to an individual." She considered getting a restraining order and took several weeks off social media.
Return to Competition
Despite the trauma, Spiranac is reportedly returning to the tournament. She has not yet confirmed her participation on Instagram or X, but the New York Post reported her involvement on Monday. The expanded prize pool is expected to attract top talent.
Spiranac's return highlights her resilience in the face of adversity, as she continues to be a prominent figure in the golf influencer community.
