Among Bryson DeChambeau’s ‘biggest haters’ in the past, Paige Spiranac didn’t hold back her criticism of the LIV Golf pro. After DeChambeau questioned officials about a ruling during the Jack Nicklaus tournament, where he subsequently missed the cut, Spiranac launched into a scathing critique. “He’s kind of crossed that line from being different to just being a d**k,” she stated on her “Playing a Round with Paige” podcast. The statement was just the beginning of a contentious relationship that would span years before an unexpected transformation. Recently in the trailer of season 3 of the Netflix Show — Full Swing, there was a segment in the trailer where Spiranac confessed that “I was Bryson’s biggest haters.” So, was this incident the only one?

The hostility between Spiranac and DeChambeau manifested through several other notable incidents. She mocked his “par-67” comment about Augusta National during the 2020 Masters, tweeting, “Remember when Bryson called Augusta National a par-67? Good times” after he struggled at the tournament. She also criticized his post-victory speech at the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational for name-dropping Tiger Woods, claiming he “comes off disingenuous at times.” Even in 2022, she continued her criticism, ridiculing his exaggerated reaction to tripping over a gallery rope at a LIV Golf event. These consistent public critiques established her as one of his most vocal critics in golf media.

Recently, on the 5 Clubs show, Spiranac revealed the personal journey that led to this dramatic change in perspective about criticizing other players. From someone who once felt justified in publicly mocking DeChambeau’s every move, her own experience with harsh judgment made her rethink her approach. “When I first started, the majority of the attention that I received was negative attention,” she shared, reflecting on her early days in golf media. After going viral in 2015, her character was constantly questioned, forcing her to “fight for years of my career trying to prove who I am as a player but also who I am as a person.”

This experience, with intense public scrutiny, proved transformative. “I think it had to be sped up because of being in the public eye and being so criticized and scrutinized for everything that I was doing in the golf industry,” she explained during the 5 Clubs interview. This journey led her to a profound realization about judgment and empathy. “I had to fight that for years… and so my journey has come with being less criticizing of players and people because I’ve been through it.”

Her evolution from critic to supporter exemplifies how personal struggles can foster empathy and understanding. No longer focused on proving herself to critics, Spiranac found a new purpose in using her platform to uplift others in the sport, including those she once criticized.

Spiranac’s evolution from a criticized outsider to an influential voice marks a pivotal shift in golf media. Her story shows how once-peripheral voices now actively reshape the sport’s traditional landscape, creating new pathways for fan engagement and game growth.

Golf’s new era: Paige Spiranac leads social media revolution in traditional sport

The transformation in golf’s relationship with content creators reached a milestone when the PGA Tour launched its Creator Council in December 2024. “It wasn’t cool to do social media and golf, and it was kind of looked down on,” Spiranac reflected during the 5 Clubs interview. This initiative, bringing together top golf influencers to shape fan engagement strategies, marks a dramatic shift from the sport’s initial resistance to digital innovation.

The Creator Council represents more than just an advisory board. Its members, including Spiranac, work without compensation to develop initiatives like the Creator Classic and innovative social media campaigns. Their role signals golf’s recognition that new voices and perspectives are crucial for the sport’s future growth.

This evolution extends beyond individual creators to reshape how traditional golf organizations approach digital engagement. The PGA Tour’s embrace of social media personalities suggests a future where golf’s traditional values and modern communication can coexist and thrive together, with creators like Spiranac helping bridge the gap between old and new.

How do you think golf’s relationship with social media will continue to evolve? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!