Paige Spiranac made her SI Swimsuit Issue debut in 2018 when the then-24-year-old posed for pH๏τographer James Macari in Aruba.

Spiranac, 29, was a Division I golfer at both the University of Arizona and San Diego State University before she went on to play professionally. Today, the now-retired athlete is a social media personality who doesn’t shy away from weighing in on H๏τ topics like female athletes showing off their bodies for NIL deals and best practices for recruiting college athletes.

Ahead of her debut SI Swimsuit pH๏τo shoot, Spiranac said she tried to emulate other models, but SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day advised her to just be herself.

“I think [that] was the moment when I stopped comparing myself to them and was just kind of like, ‘OK, this is my shoot,’” she said. 

SI Swim Ranks Paige Spiranac’s Top 3 Athleisure Golf Looks of Summer 2023

Her pH๏τo shoot in Aruba empowered her like never before—she called the experience “liberating” and said it one of the best days of her life.

“I just felt so strong and I’ve never felt so strong and confident and Sєxy before,” Spiranac said.

“To finally embrace this Sєxy side and be confident and love who I am and love the skin I’m in, it was a really powerful moment and I’m so thankful,” she continued.

Below are 10 of our favorite pH๏τos from Spiranac’s pH๏τo shoot where her strength and confidence shine through.