Golf

From Tiger Woods to Scottie Scheffler, These Are the Most Followed Golfers on Instagram

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2m ago

Nov 25, 2024 / 5329 Views

Evan Walker

With the advent of social media and the rise of parasocial relationships, the distance between public figures and their fans has evolved across the years, shaping celebrity culture as we know it today. Among the top gauges of a celebrity’s popularity amidst fans? Their online follower count. Which top golfers rank at the top in terms of social media popularity? We take a look at 11 of the most followed professional golfers on Instagram.

The greatest actors and actresses of Hollywood have long enjoyed their places upon high pedestals, relishing in the adoration of fans, a multitude of honorary awards, accolades, and coveted Walk of Fame stars. In the realm of the culinary arts, celebrity chefs have likewise enjoyed similar acclaim; think Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard awardees, and recipients of World Best awards. Across disciplines and industries, icons have a way of emerging at the top, with fans quickly gathering in mutual admiration.

The advent of sports personalities as celebrities

Traditionally popular sports have celebrated their icons across the decades — think Spanish golfing legend Seve Ballesteros, tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the NBA’s Lebron James and Michael Jordan, and soccer’s Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Lionel Messi, to name just a select few. However, in recent years, previously niche sports have gained traction thanks to a series of dramatised documentaries.

Most notably, Formula 1 has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, which follows the various teams and drivers across the seasons. As expected, this has propelled numerous racers into the public eye amid a wider audience. Likewise, the NFL has gained significant momentum over the past year — an understandable phenomenon when you consider that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is dating the one and only Taylor Swift. And thus, more sports icons are created and elevated into celebrity status.

With lines continuing to blur in our modern era of increasing connectivity, more and more public figures — from Sportsmen and Businessmen to politicians and chefs — are finding themselves propelled into the realm of global fame and fortune. The key metric? Social media follows.

How social media has become a gauge for fame

While awards and accolades have long been used to gauge a celebrity’s star power, the rise of social media has heralded a shift in the way we determine popularity. With social media networks like X, Instagram, and TikTok becoming primary mediums for outreach, celebrity popularity is now measured using follows, likes, and views. This is particularly pertinent in the realm of online influencers, many of whom rely on virality and long-term staying power online to continuously gain and maintain the attention of their audience.

Leveraging the incredible power of social media, many among Hollywood’s elite have adapted to the changing media landscape. Regardless of age or generational inclinations, these celebrities have turned to social media platforms for connecting with their fans, promoting their movies and products, and sharing their opinions on topics and issues that are important to them.

Sadly, this relationship between public figure and fan remains tenuous at best. This is particularly pertinent, as many social justice movements now call for mass unfollows in the face of problematic behaviour — and rightly so. Indeed, while social media has the potential for greatness, it is nonetheless a fickle master, and many personalities have found success in virality only to have their star fizzle out once their fifteen minutes of fame have ended.

Interestingly, celebrities appear to harness greater staying power online when they do not have to rely on viral trends and challenges to stay relevant. This is especially true of musicians, movie stars, and sports personalities among others, whose main livelihoods reside outside the realm of online content production and endless product endorsements. In this aspect, it can be concluded that these personalities have garnered loyal followers because they offer something no mere influencer can — access to the front lines.

Golfers on social media aren’t just putting for clout. With many among them sharing tips and snapshots of their lives on tour and on the greens, it comes as little surprise that fans of the increasingly popular sport are hitting ‘follow’ on the pages of their favourite players. So, whether you’re just starting out in golf and looking for aspirational figures to learn from or want to stay up to date on news about your favourite players, here are some of the most followed golfers on Instagram to add today.

11 of the most followed golfers on Instagram today

Tiger Woods

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With 3.5 million followers on Instagram, former World No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods is undoubtedly one of the most famous sports personalities in the world. The 82-time PGA Tour winner, 15-time Major winner, 11-time PGA Player of the Year winner, 9-time Vardon Trophy winner, and 9-time Byron Nelson Award winner is also the only player to have won four professional major championships in a row, coining the phrase, “Tiger Slam”.

A Rolex ambassador with endorsement deals from TaylorMade and Bridgestone, Woods’ popularity is not just limited to the realm of golf. Indeed, the golf legend’s influence extends beyond playing on the greens. Through TGR, his multi-brand company that incorporates TGR Design, TGR Live, and The TGR Foundation, Woods heads a golf course design business, with his Dubai course eventually becoming the Trump International Golf Club.

Scottie Scheffler

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Current World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has had a career-high year this year, with his seven PGA Tour wins and an Olympic gold medal to his name. To date in 2024, Scheffler has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship, the Masters Tournament, the RBC Heritage, the Memorial Tournament, the Travelers Championship, and the Tour Championship, making him the first golfer to accomplish the feat since Tiger Woods first did in 2007.

While Scheffler is known for his prudent spending habits and generally modest demeanour, his social media following is nothing to sniff at. As of the time of publishing, Scheffler has amassed 1.2 million Instagram followers, making him one of the most followed golfers of our generation.

Paige Spiranac

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Widely regarded as golf’s ‘top social media influencer’, Paige Spiranac has had a promising start to her golfing career. Having played junior golf on Colorado’s junior golf circuit, Spiranac earned her stripes as a top 20 world junior player and a top 5 college recruit. She later attended the University of Arizona on a golf scholarship and made a valiant attempt at entering the LPGA tour in 2016; sadly, she failed to earn a tour card to play on the professional circuit.

With 4 million followers on Instagram, Spiranac is one of the most followed golfers on Instagram today, and for good reason. Widely popular among fans of the sport, she has appeared on Sports Illustrated as well as Golf Digest, for which she has written a monthy column since December 2018.

Nelly Korda

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American pro golfer Nelly Korda has made serious waves in 2024. The current number 1 in the LPGA standings, Korda’s groundbreaking year has included seven wins on tour, plus a showing at the Paris Olympic games. While Korda ended up not taking home any Olympic medals, her presence has nonetheless propelled her into the public eye, and she quickly became one of the most talked-about female golfers in the world.

Winner of the Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Korda has also made strong showings at the Solheim cup across the years, representing Team America in 2019, 2021, 2023, and recently winning the 2024 iteration. To date, she has 1 million Instagram followers, placing her solidly among our list of the most followed golfers on social media.

Rory McIlroy

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Currently World No. 3 golfer and one of the richest personalities in golfing, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has had an incredible year with multiple victories to boast of. Having just won the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, McIlroy had also previously emerged victorious at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Wells Fargo Championship. Likewise, McIlroy took the top spot at the Zurich Classic, where he was partnered up with longtime friend Shane Lowry. Having garnered 26 PGA Tour wins and 18 European Tour wins to date, he is rightly acknowledged as a golfing icon. With 2.9 million followers on Instagram, McIlroy is also one of the most followed golfers on social media.

Jordan Spieth

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American pro Golfer Jordan Spieth boasts an impressive 1.8 million followers on Instagram, making him one of the most followed Golf personalities in the world. Having won the U.S. Junior Amateur twice in his career, Spieth joins Golfing legend Tiger Woods as the only Golfers to have won that tournament twice. While Spieth has garnered 13 PGA Tour wins across the year, his 2024 season has proven less-than-stellar; however, he remains a popular figurehead in the industry, with brand deals and endorsements spanning numerous brands including Rolex, Titleist, SuperStroke, and Under Armour.

Rickie Fowler

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American Golfer Rickie Fowler has garnered considerable success across his pro career with 6 PGA Tour wins as well as 2 European tour wins. Between 2007 and 2008, he cemented his place in the rookie field by maintaining No. 1 position in the Amateur Golf rankings; in 2009, after winning the Walker Cup as part of Team USA. As one of the mainstays in the PGA circuit, Fowler marked a career high of No. 4 on the Official World Golf ranking in 2016 after winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Today, he remains one of the most popular Golfers with 2 million Instagram followers, with sponsorships from Titleist, TaylorMade, and Rolex.

Dustin Johnson

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With 1.2 million Instagram followers, American pro golfer Dustin Johnson has more than cemented his place among the sport’s top icons. While he once played on the PGA Tour circuit, having garnered 24 PGA Tour wins, he has since made the decision to move to LIV Golf, where he has garnered 3 wins. Notably, Johnson emerged victorious at LIV Golf Las Vegas this past February, with past accomplishments including a Masters Tournament win in 2020 and a U.S. Open win in 2016. His endorsements include popular brands such as Adidas and TaylorMade.

Phil Mickelson

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Currently playing on the LIV Golf tour, Phil Mickelson has long been regarded as one of the greats in the sport. A World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, 3-time Jack Nicklaus Award winner, and 3-time Haskins Award winner, Mickelson is tied 8th all time on the PGA Tour with his incredible 45 career wins. He is also a 3-time Masters Tournament winner, a 20time PGA Championship winner, and Open Championship winner, boasting a career high No. 2 on the World Golf ranking.

A businessman as well as a professional, Mickelson co-founded For Wellness with Jon Rahm’s coach, his longtime friend Dave Phillips. The company produces recovery supplements which include products like coffee supplements and recovery gummies. Mickelson is also the founder of Coffee for Wellness, which supplies coffee designed to help cut down on stress, reduce fatigue, and improve cognitive function and performance. In terms of endorsements, Mickelson is currently sponsored by Rolex and Mizzen+Main, with former sponsors including KPMG, Titleist, Barclays, and Ford. With 1.2 million followers on Instagram, Mickelson is comfortably situated among the most followed golfers on social media.

Justin Thomas

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Current World No. 26 golfer Justin Thomas has a staggering 1.7 million followers on Instagram, easily placing him among the most followed golfers. With 15 PGA Tour wins in his name, Thomas garnered his first win at the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2015; the next year, he successfully defended his title, kicking off the next two years by securing 5 more wins, a Major, and the title of FedEx Cup Champion and Player of the Year. To date, Thomas is a 2-time PGA Championship winner, the 2012 Haskins Award winner, 2-time PGA Tour Player of the Year winner, and 2-time PGA Player of the Year winner. Of note, Thomas has enjoyed sponsorships with Titleist, Beats Electronics, and Citigroup among others.

Kathryn Newton

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While regarded only as a ‘semi-professional’ golfer, actress Kathryn Newton, who is known for portraying Cassie Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), Lisa Swallows in Lisa Frankenstein (2024), and Sammy in Abigail (2024), is an avid golfer with a deep and abiding love of the sport. As an ambassador for The R&A, which operates The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, Newton is well known for contributing to the popularity of golf as a sport, boasting 1.9 million followers on Instagram.

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This past February, in an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Newton revealed that she has been playing golf since she was 8 years old — and it shows. In October 2024, she made a showing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews Links, where she attempted to make cut. Speaking to the organisers before the event, Newton said, “People look at my swing and some of them think I’m a pro, but there’s more to it than that if you want to win. Right now, I’m playing pretty well. I’d love to win, but certainly to make the cut for Sunday. That would be nice.”