In the high-stakes world of social media influencing, where every swing, smile, and scandal can skyrocket or sink a career, Paige Spiranac has mastered the art of transparency—except when it comes to one sacred corner of her life: romance. The 32-year-old golf sensation, with over five million Instagram followers hanging on her every tip and tutorial, recently pulled back the curtain just enough during a candid Q&A to explain why her dating life remains firmly behind closed doors. "I just never want to go through that again," she confessed, her words a quiet thunderclap amid the endless chatter of the online golf community.
It was a Tuesday Instagram Story session, the kind Spiranac often uses to connect with fans—answering queries on swing mechanics, her latest outfits, or even her thoughts on the PGA Tour's quirks. But when one follower probed about her personal life, the tone shifted from lighthearted to resolute. "So, I was previously married," she began, referencing her short-lived union with athletic trainer Steven Tinoco. They tied the knot young, in 2016, but by 2022, Spiranac had quietly confirmed the split, offering little more than a brief acknowledgment. What followed, however, was a deluge she never saw coming.
"Still, to this day, many years later, the amount of messages that I get that are horrible and harassing about a previous relationship just really made up my mind," she shared. The vitriol poured in—cruel comments, invasive questions, and relentless speculation that turned a private heartache into public sport. For someone who built her brand on vulnerability, sharing everything from mental health struggles to on-course anxieties, this was a breaking point. "I got married young, and when it didn’t work out, I decided that I was never, ever, ever, ever going to share my personal life online ever again."
Spiranac's pivot isn't about playing coy for clicks or dodging rumors to keep her predominantly male audience hooked. She's addressed that misconception head-on. "I think people would assume that, ‘Oh, it’s cause guys follow you, and you don’t want to lose your audience,’ no," she clarified. "Really, this is just to protect my sanity." In an era where influencers invite followers into their kitchens, closets, and even therapy sessions, her stance feels refreshingly radical. By keeping relationships, friends, and family out of the frame, she reclaims a simple truth: "If you never put anything online, you never owe anyone an explanation."
This isn't Spiranac's first dance with the darker side of fame. From her days as a professional golfer on the minor leagues circuit to her explosive rise as a content creator, she's weathered body-shaming trolls, sexist jabs in the male-dominated sport, and the pressure to perform perfection. Yet, she's thrived by leaning into authenticity—launching her own golf apparel line, podcasting about the game's inclusivity, and even advocating for mental health resources for athletes. Her recent cameo in Netflix's *Happy Gilmore 2*, where she shared a scene with Adam Sandler as a sporting goods store employee demoing a golf simulator, only amplified her star power. At the film's New York premiere last month, she stunned in a sheer-skirted red gown, gushing about Sandler's "genuine, funny, kind, humble" vibe. It's the kind of Hollywood brush that could fuel endless posts, but even there, she keeps the personal at arm's length.
Whispers of her current relationship status have swirled for years—fueled by a 2024 sighting at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch party alongside banker Zach Brantly, and her own 2023 admission of having a boyfriend who juggles "crazy hours." She's teased just enough to quiet the doubters: yes, there's someone special who picks up the slack during her whirlwind schedule. But details? Firmly off-limits. And when fans speculate about flings with pro athletes or celebrities sliding into her DMs, she shuts it down swiftly. "Never been on a date with anyone famous," she stated flatly in the Q&A, dousing the flames of tabloid fantasy.
Spiranac's revelation arrives at a poignant moment for digital culture, where the line between public persona and private self blurs into oblivion. Celebrities from Taylor Swift to Billie Eilish have echoed similar sentiments, decrying the "ownership" fans feel over their love lives. For Spiranac, it's a lesson hard-learned: the same platform that launched her from San Diego State University standout to global golf icon can also amplify the ugliest echoes. By choosing silence on this front, she's not retreating—she's redrawing boundaries, prioritizing mental well-being over metrics.
As she tees up her next chapter, whether it's more on-screen cameos, expanding her Playing a Round podcast, or simply enjoying a quiet date away from the spotlight, Spiranac's message resonates beyond the fairway. In a world that demands disclosure, her quiet "no" is a swing for autonomy. After all, even the best influencers know when to let the ball drop without a follow-through.
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