DUBAI // Paige Spiranac’s participation at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters has helped raise the profile of the tournament and therefore justified her inclusion, said both the organisers and the head of the Ladies European Tour yesterday.
The American made her professional debut this week after accepting a sponsor’s invite, but she posted rounds of 77 and 79 to finish 12-over par and thus miss the cut.
Spiranac, known primarily for her social media profile that boasts more than 500,000 followers across Instagram and Twitter, concluded the 108-strong tournament in a tie for 101st. She said afterwards that she would reassess if she wanted to continue playing competitively.
However, despite her struggles, Spiranac’s appearance in Dubai has generated significant interest in print and online, particularly in the mainstream media in the United States and Britain, meaning that in theory the event has attracted significantly more attention than in the past.
While specific figures to gauge its reach were not readily available yesterday, it is interesting to note that Spiranac’s Instagram account had increased by almost 60,000 followers since Tuesday – despite the former San Diego State University golfer, 22, uploading just two new posts.
“I think for us, there’s been a big impact, especially in the United States,” said Mohammed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman & CEO of golf in Dubai, the tournament organisers.
“This is why we brought her. The girl didn’t make the cut, but I did not expect her to make it because it’s her first tournament, and with so much pressure on her. But I’m very happy to have her and we’ll have her back if she wants to come back.”
The chief executive of the tour, Ivan Khodabakhsh, added that the competition was not just about top-quality golf.
“It’s a professional tournament – that means we need to be also entertaining. We want to focus on competitive sport, but entertainment is a big part of this, too,” he said.
“Whatever brings more attention, not just to this tournament, but to women’s golf, people who have not been close to women’s golf look at it and say, ‘wow, this is actually cool, I want to be a part of it’. It’s good for the game.
“So she [Spiranac] has had a great impact here, but she has had a great impact internationally. We have broadcasters calling us up wanting to see more. That’s only good for everybody.”
Khodabakhsh announced the 2016 schedule will comprise 19 events and again conclude in Dubai, with another three or four apparently in the pipeline. He refused, though, to confirm that Abu Dhabi is in line to host a tournament on the circuit.
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