A women's golfer is on the cover of Golf Digest, but it isn't the star primed to win an Olympic medal this summer. Instead of top-ranked Lydia Ko, the magazine features Paige Spiranac in its "Innovators & Influencers" issue.
Spiranac, 23, who played in college at San Diego State, has a popular Instagram account, with 673,000 followers. She finished tied for 101st out of 107 golfers in her pro debut last December, after earning a sponsor's exemption at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
Golf Digest's decision to spotlight Spiranac upset several golfers, including Juli Inkster, the captain for the U.S. at the Solheim Cup. Via Golf Channel:
"I know that stuff sells, and they are in the business of selling magazines, but I think people could learn more in an article about Lydia. It's kind of where our society is right now. I don't agree with it, but it's their magazine and they can do what they want." Juli Inkster
Inkster is not the only one who is upset. Stacy Lewis, the 14th-ranked golfer on tour, told Golf Channel: "You look across other platforms, I feel like people are starting to take notice of us as players and us as athletes, but Golf Digest seems to be the anomaly."
Last May, up-and-coming star Lexi Thompson was on the cover wearing a towel, and two years ago, Golf Digest put Paulina Gretzky on the cover. Michelle Wie was on the magazine's cover in October 2014.
Despite the dust-up, Spiranac gave credit to Ko, who didn't appear bitter in the least over getting snubbed.
@LydiaKo thank you for being such a great ambassador for women's golf!
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) April 21, 2016
@PaigeSpiranac you looked absolutely amazing on the cover!!! 👍
— Lydia Ko (@LydiaKo) April 21, 2016
