"Blair O'Neal Speaks About Maintaining Professional Image: Golf Attire on Golf Courses, Not Swimsuits"
Fresh Article:
Meet Blair O'Neal, the trailblazing force behind the growth of women's golf and the broader golf influencer movement. This former professional golfer, model, and media personality shattered the norms long before the age of 'golf influencers.'
O'Neal, a winner of season 14 of the Golf Channel's Big Break, made a name for herself on the Symetra Tour and in her standout amateur years at Arizona State University. But that's not all she achieved. She also carved out a dual career that bridged golf and modelling, a blend unheard of in those days.
Today, O'Neal is a familiar face on Golf Channel, co-hosting the popular School of Golf instruction series alongside Martin Hall, and recently, she launched Golf Glam on GolfPass, where she plays 9-hole matches with influencers, pro golfers, celebrities, and athletes in all sorts of formats.
O'Neal has been a trailblazer in the way women athletes, particularly golfers, manage their personal brands, navigate social media, and shape their public image. "I was one of the first girls really doing it on Instagram," O'Neal reminisces. "Back then, nobody was showing that much of their life. I was posting from tournaments, photoshoots, appearances... letting people follow along. That just wasn't the norm at the time."
Contemporaries like Natalie Gulbis and Anna Rawson were among the rare examples she looked to, but even then, it was largely uncharted territory. For O'Neal, coupling modelling and golf wasn't about being provocative; it was about survival. "When I graduated from ASU, I realized quickly there were so many expenses to keep the dream alive," she says. "I didn't have family backing, no sponsorships at the start. Modelling jobs were how I made ends meet so I could play."
Winning Big Break gave her a financial boost and opened doors to long-term partnerships, like her now 15-year relationship with Cobra Puma, but her business-savvy mindset has always guided her decisions. Today, the landscape looks very different. Influencers like Paige Spiranac and Grace Charis have built massive followings by sharing bold, stylish golf content that puts their personalities and physiques front and centre. O'Neal helped lay the groundwork for this space but has navigated it on her own terms.
"I think people sometimes misunderstood it," O'Neal says. "Sure, I pushed the envelope, but I've always been conscious of where my brand was going. Whether it was appearing in Sports Illustrated or Maxim, I've always asked myself, 'Will I be proud of this when I look back? How will my kids see this one day?'"
Blending femininity with athleticism, and combining a sharp business sense with authenticity, is sharply relevant today as social media continues to shape the landscape of women's golf. "It's wild how it's grown," O'Neal says, laughing. "Now you open Instagram, and it's full of golf influencers, girls on the course in cute outfits. It's become a real thing. And honestly, I think it's great, there's room for everybody in this space, and everyone has their own level of what they're comfortable showing."
O'Neal believes social media has been a powerful driver for growing the women's game, especially among younger audiences. "It's absolutely helped bring more young women into golf," she says. "It's given players a way to show their personalities, their lives off the course, and that creates a connection. When people feel like they know you a little, they want to watch you play, they root for you. It's something I think the men's tour has understood for a while, and we're seeing more women players doing it now, too."
But social media isn't without its challenges. O'Neal admits she has a love-hate relationship with it, especially when it comes to the negative side. "Oh yeah, I get weird messages," she says. "I probably always will. But I focus on the positive ones. I have people who've followed me for 10, 15 years. When you put yourself out there, you open yourself to criticism, but if you're not doing anything, nobody's paying attention either."
After more than a decade on Golf Channel, O'Neal has found a balance between her media work, competitive celebrity events, and raising her two young sons, Chrome and Canon. She says her experience on tour, in front of the camera, and in the modelling world all prepared her for the multifaceted career she built today, even if there was no roadmap for it.
"I'm a fast learner," she says. "When I started on Golf Channel, no one told me exactly what to do, you figure it out or you don't. But I always show up prepared, and I'm always open to feedback. That's probably the biggest advice I'd give to anyone wanting to get into golf media: be prepared, be confident, and always look for ways to improve."
As for the future of women's golf, O'Neal sees massive potential. "These girls out there now are so good," she says, grinning. "Go watch them in person on the LPGA or Epson Tour. They're relatable, they're inspiring. But I think it takes big personalities to really bring people in, players willing to open up and let fans see more of who they are beyond just the competition. That's how we grow the game."
To sum it up, O'Neal has been demonstrating an innovative approach to content since long before the golf influencer era. Not just as an athlete or a presenter or a model, but as a businesswoman who understood, long before the digital age, that connection is what creates lasting impact.
- Blair O'Neal, known for co-hosting the School of Golf instruction series on Golf Channel, has consistently used her platform to provide sports lessons, particularly in golf.
- As a trailblazer in the golf influencer movement, O'Neal, through her show Golf Glam on GolfPass, engages in 9-hole matches with athletes and influencers from various sports, showcasing a fusion of sports (golf) and entertainment.
