Paige Spiranac to announce players at Dubai desert Classic

January 25th 2018. The Dubai Desert Classic. Paige Spiranac.

Yes indeed, social media golfing sensation Paige Spiranac will act as the official starter for the tournament at Emirates Golf Club.

We've been wondering for a while now who could step into legendary starter Ivor Robson's brogues and now we have the answer. Ivor did the business for over 40 years on the European Tour and now it seems as if the European Tour have got the golfing casting couch out (Steady lad... – Weinstein Ed) to seek a permanent replacement.

24-year-old Paige who has 1.2million Instagram followers, said she was ‘proud’ to have landed the role, adding in a teaser video: ‘Come and say hi to me and see the world’s best players in action.’

Paige actually competed on the same Majlis course during the Dubai Ladies Masters in both 2015 and 2016.

She missed the cut on both occasions but memorably gave an emotional press conference in which she broke down in tears in response to the criticism she had received online, basically for creating a powerful social media persona though her looks and her golf.

Paige said: "Cyber bullying is a huge problem and no-one ever discusses it. It’s no longer funny. It’s not the cool thing to do to make fun of other people, and you need to be supportive and I think that’s really important.

"It doesn’t matter how I play this week. But the fact that I’m here and I’m sharing my story, hopefully can save someone’s life, I think that’s so much more important than if I make the cut or miss the cut." 

Damn straight, Paige.

Related:

A Day In the Life Of Paige Spiranac