Paige Spiranac was recently caught in some controversy. She was accused of cheating during a tournament, confronted about it right on the green during match play, and reduced to tears.

And now, she’s saying things have gotten even worse for her.

During the Internet Invitational, a Barstool Sports-sponsored golf tournament featuring 48 influencers competing for a $1 million prize, Spiranac was caught on camera during the final match brushing down tall grass in the rough. The move helped improve the lie for her teammate Malosi Togisala.

Even the most casual of golfers knows that improving a lie in any manner is a violation of golf rules. You can’t alter the course conditions. How Paige, an accomplished golfer, wouldn’t know that is anybody’s guess.

Opponents confronted her on the 17th green, leading Spiranac to break down in tears as she claimed ignorance of the rule. Paige insisted she had no intent to cheat. But her collegiate career in the sport led many to wonder how it’s possible she didn’t know what she was doing.

Paige Spiranac says golf fans are angry … too angry

The incident involving Paige Spiranac and her teammate went viral, sparking widespread accusations of fraud. There was even a separate cheating allegation against Togisala for allegedly using the slope function on his rangefinder.

Spiranac’s team ultimately lost the match on the 18th hole. Meaning none of the scandalous actions affected the outcome. But cheating in golf is a big deal. Perhaps more so than in any sport.

But some fans have apparently gotten out of control.

Breaking her social media silence on Tuesday, Spiranac admitted the mistake, expressed profound embarrassment, and revealed she has received tens of thousands of death threats and vile messages that severely impacted her mental health.

“I would never intentionally cheat,” she said. “In all my years of playing golf, I have never been accused of cheating.”

“The last week and a half is probably the worst hate I’ve ever received in the 10 years of me doing this,” the golf influencer said. “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 — that’s been in my DMs.”

The onslaught even prompted her to consider a restraining order.

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Why did she walk away from golf

Paige Spiranac is a former professional golfer, model, and social media influencer who transitioned from a successful golf career, beginning at the University of Arizona and San Diego State University, to becoming a prominent golf content creator.

Probably the most popular golf content creator on the planet.

Known for her engaging online presence, she has amassed millions of followers and works as a brand ambassador, golf instructor, and advocate for women in sports.

Spiranac revealed that severe golf course anxiety was a primary reason she stopped playing professionally, as it consistently overwhelmed her mentally. She described her relationship with golf as a “toxic love-hate” dynamic, where the sport’s highs were addictive, but bad rounds left her feeling worthless.

“So I have a really toxic love-hate relationship with the game of golf. And I have talked about this ad nauseam. It was one of the reasons why I stopped playing golf professionally,” Spiranac said in a video posted to X. “I just could never get over the golf course anxiety.”

“And I would just feel that my mind always won, and I was weak, and I could just never overcome that feeling.”

“There’s also something about the game of golf that makes you addicted to it, but also makes you feel like the most worthless human being ever when you have a bad round,” Spiranac added. “I’ve been working with a therapist on this. I love golf so much, but sometimes, I just can’t break through. It eats at me, and I know so many others can relate to this.”

Golf should never make you feel worthless. No sport should. It’s very concerning that Paige had to go into hiding over the controversy, essentially. Let’s hope she gets things right again.