Paige Spiranac Swimwear Shoot Ignites New Social Media Backlash

The 24-year-old was brutally honest about her LET Tour debut in an interview after her unveiling as a Sports Illustrated swimwear model

paige spiranac

The 24-year-old's Sports Illustrated Swimwear photos are out and they were questioned by a US journalist

Paige Spiranac Swimwear Shoot Ignites New Social Media Backlash

Paige Spiranac's Sports Illustrated Swimwear photo shoot images are out and they've ignited a backlash on social media.

Journalist Britt McHenry challenged Paige on how the shoot made her feel empowered:

See more

And Spiranac responded:

See more
See more

The pro golfer said she did the shoot to promote the issue of cyber bulling.

See more

Paige Spiranac has had an up and down sort of career as a professional golfer and social media sensation – she revealed more about the hateful abuse she received after her Tour debut in an interview with Sports Illustrated at a swimwear photo shoot - it even led to her saying she "didn't want to live anymore."

See more

The American has over 1.3 million Instagram followers, and with that fame, unfortunately, comes jealousy and abuse.

Related: Bill Haas involved in fatal car crash

Spiranac was invited to play in the Dubai Ladies Masters two years ago to make her first start as a professional, and what was supposed to be one of the greatest weeks of her life turned into a nightmare.

paige spirinac

In action during the 2015 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on the Majlis Course at The Emirates Golf Club. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

The sponsors invite she received brought online hate and abuse. Paige received death threats about how she was sexualising golf and selling her body.

Instead of practising her putting and chipping in her hotel room the night before her tee time, she was crying her eyes out.

Spiranac announced she has become a Sports Illustrated swimwear model today:

A photo posted by on

“It really affected me,” she told Sports Illustrated after being unveiled as an SI swimwear model.

“I was sitting in the bathroom just bawling and was like ‘I don’t want to go through this pain, this feel of helplessness. Being alone. Scared.'

Read more: USGA Chief Mike David: "We do not think distance is necessarily good for the game"

"And I said I never wanted anyone to feel the way I felt in that moment. How scared I was. How helpless I felt in that I was bullied so bad to the point that I didn’t want to live anymore.'”

The 24-year-old is a cyber bulling ambassador for a non-profit organisation called Cyberspace. She regularly visits schools and teaches people about the harsh realities of cyber bullying.

See more

“People of all walks of life are cyberbullied every single day and that’s not okay,” she told Sports Illustrated.

Read more: Tiger Woods reveals his unbelievable former daily routine

“It’s time we start supporting the victims instead of telling them to delete social media or ignore the hate. It’s time we made a difference, so I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my time to helping others.”

You can read her full interview with Sports Illustrated here.

Don't forget to follow Golf Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

The leading website from the world’s oldest golf magazine, we’re the go-to destination for amateur and keen golfers alike who are keen to up their golfing game. As well as expert course reviews, news and tips to improve your handicap our golf-focused travel content will help you pair teeing off with your travels in some of the best destinations around the globe.