DUBAI // Golf’s social media sensation Paige Spiranac will make her first appearance in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club next month.
Spiranac, 22, is one of the game’s rising stars and already a hit off the course, where she has almost half a million followers on instagram.
Now she is looking to make a reputation on the course, starting with her first LPGA Tour event.
The American joins a strong field led by defending champion Shanshan Feng of China for the December 9 to 12 tournament
With sporting prowess running in the family, Spiranac flashed a glimpse of her talent, guiding her San Diego University to victory in the 2015 Mountain West Conference Golf Championship and winning the Colorado State Match Play Tournament.
The daughter of Dan Spiranac, who was a member of the Pittsburgh Panthers team who won the 1976 National Championship, took to golf after a vaulting accident cut short her gymnastics career when she was just 12.
Gymnastics’ loss may turn out to be golf’s gain as Spiranac has set her sights on earning an LPGA Tour card to boost her goal of becoming the world’s “best female golfer” .
Her first appearance in the season-ending Ladies European Tour event in Dubai will provide a snapshot of the popularity of a player who has gained huge popularity on social media.
“I am very excited about making my first trip to Dubai and it will be fun playing in a tournament that always boasts a strong field with some of the top players from both sides of the Atlantic joining the starting line-up,” said Spiranac, also a four-time Junior PGA Championship qualifier and a three-time US Girls’ Junior Amateur participant.
“I have heard many great things about Dubai as a city, but also about the golf there, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it for myself. I am grateful to golf in DUBAi for believing in me. Their invitation to play in the tournament has set my dreams on fire,” said Spiranac, who completed her graduation in communications earlier this year.
“I have a great respect for the players on the Ladies European Tour, and competing alongside them will be a big learning curve. I am sure it will be a great week,” said Spiranic, from Scottsdale, Arizona.
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