Social media star Paige Spiranac has hit back after being "belittled" by a PGA Tour player and has labelled him "sexist".
Former professional player Spiranac has never been shy to offer her views, or golf tips, on her respective platforms. And the influencer's eye-catching outfits have undoubtedly boosted her profile, with her Instagram following now at 3.7 million, along with 855,000 on Twitter.
And nor has she hidden away from criticising the game's top stars, famously feuding with Bryson DeChambeau over his claim that he would be playing the 2022 Masters as a 'par 68'. Sure enough, during the tournament at Augusta this time around, she was again outspoken, this time over the notion of slow play.
Arguing that the leading players, including eventual winner Jon Rahm, were taking too long between strokes, Spiranac said: "I've seen paint dry faster than that round was finished." Joint runner-up Brooks Koepka also criticised the likes of Patrick Cantlay for the time taken over their rounds.
But world No 70 Nate Lashley was having none of it, arguing that fans were more interested in Spiranac's looks than her opinions: "I don't like slow play at all but these courses are very difficult and there is a lot on the line,' he tweeted. "If @PaigeSpiranac would have played professionally at a higher level she would understand but I don't think most people are watching these videos to see what she has to say."
Spiranac, who played in LPGA Qualifying Tournaments in 2016 but failed to earn a tour card, described Lashley as "sexist" on her Playing a Round with Paige. And on Friday, she doubled down on that view on social media.
"I said Nate's tweet was sexist on my podcast which is now causing a stir on twitter lol," she said. "Yes, I use my sex appeal to my advantage but that doesn't invalidate my opinion.
"I share a similar stance on slow play as many top pros as well as many in golf media but he only decided to call me out and belittle my achievements in the process. It's not about me showing my cleavage and getting upset when I'm called out by it. I'm upfront about my brand. Not my fault people like boobs and golf. Both are wonderful."
Lashley himself has only once qualified for The Masters, failing to make the cut in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. His best major result came back in 2019, when he was tied-28th at the US Open.
