There’s a bizarre social media catfishing scam putting LPGA players and fans at risk. @CarsonKessler and I looked into the dangerous con for @TheAthletic’s series on stalking and safety in sports:

We’ve also got what looks like a knit polo with some needlepoint-esque stitching. This I can get behind.

Same energy

RT @BrodyAMiller: Henrik Stenson was relegated from LIV last night, getting usurped at the last moment by his teammate Ian Poulter. Wrote….

RT @TheAthletic: Robert MacIntyre entered Sunday with a four-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler. But a four-shot lead is just not the same w….

RT @TheAthletic: In June 2024, a 72-year-old golf fan received an email from someone claiming to be the real Nelly Korda. Email quickly tu….

This issue is not limited to the LPGA, but it’s part of a growing trend of security concerns in sports. Here’s @CarsonKessler’s deep-dive into the broader stalking problem that has been escalating over the last decade:

The con concerns security officials and golfers, especially as scammed individuals show up at tournaments. Nelly Korda told @TheAthletic: “It’s been taken out of my hands being able to communicate freely with fans. Because I don’t really know their intentions.”.

When the spigot of cash is turned off, the account disappears. Some victims of the scams have blamed the real golfer for their losses. Or, they refuse to believe they don’t have a real relationship with the athlete. This can tip into fixated behavior.

The scam goes like this: A social media account impersonating a female golfer reaches out to fan, moves the conversation to Telegram/WhatsApp, offers desirable experiences for a fee and/or requests payment under the pretenses of a personal relationship.

Rally Snow Cone. I’m gonna try that.

RT @nytimes: From @TheAthletic: Athletes in all sports deal with stalkers, but women’s tennis has and continues to be the epicenter of the….

RT @CarsonKessler: If you read anything today, make sure its @nathanfenno's deep dive into the maddening stalking case of former NFL defen….

RT @TheAthletic: Stalking has become part of the sports landscape. Many cases go unreported in the media and even to the police. The Athle….

I wrote about Tommy Fleetwood and the psychological battle to win for the first time on the PGA Tour. Numerous close calls prompt a uniquely human response — with an oftentimes unfortunate result:

A little pre-playoffs/Ryder Cup roundtable with @BrodyAMiller @KellenbergerGLF: .

RT @BrodyAMiller: Here's the story, on the summer of golfer tantrums and why it's nothing new. We're just always watching. .

RT @USGA: When you have a tee time in the morning but work in the afternoon 😅. Tune in to coverage of the U.S. Women's Amateur on @GolfChan….

I love em dashes, perhaps too much. It's extremely annoying that they are now associated with AI. Justice for the em dash!.