# Internet Invitational

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{{Short description|Golf tournament in the United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox golf tournament
| name = Internet Invitational
| image = File:Internet_Invitational_2025_logo.png
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| location = [Ridgedale, Missouri](/source/Ridgedale%2C_Missouri), United States <!--in 2025-->
| establishment = 2025
| org = [Barstool Sports](/source/Barstool_Sports) and Bob Does Sports
| course = Big Cedar Lodge <!--in 2025-->
| par = 
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| tour = 
| format = 
| month_played = 
| purse = 
| aggregate = 
| to-par = 
| current_champion = [Brad Dalke](/source/Brad_Dalke), [Francis Ellis](/source/Francis_Ellis_(comedian)), Cody "Beef" Franke
| current = 
| coordinates   = 
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}}

The '''Internet Invitational''' is a golf tournament conducted by the [Barstool Sports](/source/Barstool_Sports) and [YouTuber](/source/YouTuber) Bob Does Sports. It features various [social media](/source/social_media) golf personalities such as [Paige Spiranac](/source/Paige_Spiranac), [Grant Horvat](/source/Grant_Horvat), and [Wesley Bryan](/source/Wesley_Bryan). 

== 2025 Internet Invitational ==
The inaugural Internet Invitational took place in August 2025 at Big Cedar Lodge in [Ridgedale, Missouri](/source/Ridgedale%2C_Missouri).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=Jesse |date=2025-10-28 |title=First episode of “Internet Invitational” at Big Cedar Lodge out now |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/first-episode-internet-invitational-big-184525790.html |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> It contained six episodes which aired over a three-week span in October and November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-11-14 |title=Internet Invitational Finale Has Controversy, Tears |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/internet-invitational-finale-has-controversy-tears/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref>  

The winning team consisted of [Brad Dalke](/source/Brad_Dalke), [Francis Ellis](/source/Francis_Ellis_(comedian)), and Cody "Beef" Franke, who won over a team consisting of [Paige Spiranac](/source/Paige_Spiranac), Frankie Borelli, and Malosi Togisala.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corlett |first=Tim |title=Winner of The Internet Invitational Is Crowned, Awarded $1 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/break80/2025/11/13/winner-of-the-internet-invitational-is-crowned-awarded-1-million/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> The day before the series was set to air, one of the winners, Cody Franke, died while away in Jamaica.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dethier |first=Dylan |date=2025-11-14 |title=Internet Invitational finale brings controversy — and 1 heartbreaking reminder |url=https://golf.com/news/internet-invitational-million-dollar-controversy-reminder-beef/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. M. Z. |date=2025-11-14 |title=Barstool Sports Cody 'Beef' Franke Won Internet Invitational Weeks Before Death |url=https://www.tmz.com/2025/11/14/barstool-beef-wins-internet-invitational-death/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=TMZ |language=en}}</ref> [Barstool Sports](/source/Barstool_Sports) and the Foreplay podcast helped to set up a scholarship fund in his name for golf management at his alma mater, [Ferris State University](/source/Ferris_State_University).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=Get to Know Internet Invitational Champion "Barstool Beef" : Cody Franke, PGA |url=https://www.pga.com/story/get-to-know-internet-invitational-champion-barstool-beef-cody-franke-pga |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=www.pga.com |language=en}}</ref> The three winners split an equal share of one million dollars for winning the event. 

The tournament featured 48 content creators, predominantly consisting of YouTube golfers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colgan |first=James |date=2025-10-29 |title=The unusual lesson from Barstool's $1 million 'Internet Invitational' |url=https://golf.com/news/barstools-1-million-internet-invitational-unusual-lesson/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> The tournament took place over three days in August 2025. The first night consisted of an initial draft in which the 48 competitors were drafted into two separate teams of 24 people with Robbie "Bob" Berger and Sam "Riggs" Bozoian captaining the two teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=Jesse |date=28 Oct 205 |title=First episode of “Internet Invitational” at Big Cedar Lodge out now |url=https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/first-episode-of-internet-invitational-at-big-cedar-lodge-out-now/ |website=Ozarks First}}</ref> 

The first day consisted of two sessions (morning and afternoon) of 9 holes each for the 12 pairs of competitors on each team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-11-06 |title=The Internet Invitational Could Redefine Pro Golf |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/the-internet-invitational-could-redefine-pro-golf/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref> The morning session was a [scramble format](/source/Scramble_(golf)) and the afternoon session was in an [alternate shot format](/source/Alternate_shot). Team Riggs won the first day and Team Bob was eliminated from the tournament. 

The second day had the same format for the remaining 24 players. The new captains were Frankie Borelli and Riggs. Team Frankie won the second day and his team of 12 players went onto the semi-finals on day 3, which consisted of an 18-hole round in the morning and an 18-hole round in the afternoon for the remaining 12 competitors who were split into 4 teams of 3. The teams captained by [Paige Spiranac](/source/Paige_Spiranac) and [Brad Dalke](/source/Brad_Dalke) respectfully went onto the finals. 

In addition to originally airing on [YouTube](/source/YouTube), the event later aired on [Fox Sports 1](/source/Fox_Sports_1) and streamed on the [Fox One](/source/Fox_One) app.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Barstool Sports Golf Internet Invitational Finale - Part 2 on FOX One – Stream Full Episodes Online |url=https://www.fox.com/detail/special/fmc-djpffly7ei1b9kya/barstool-sports-golf-internet-invitational-finale-part-2 |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=FOX One |language=en}}</ref> 

=== Controversies at 2025 event ===
On the first day of the event, there was a controversy involving golfer, [Luke Kwon](/source/Luke_Kwon), a professional golfer on the [PGA Tour China](/source/PGA_Tour_China).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dethier |first=Dylan |date=2025-10-31 |title='Internet Invitational' produces jaw-dropping villain — and millions of views |url=https://golf.com/news/barstool-internet-invitational-luke-kwon/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> Kwon overslept and missed his tee time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marksbury |first=Jessica |date=2025-11-07 |title=Barstool Sports host weighs in on Internet Invitational villain Luke Kwon |url=https://golf.com/news/barstool-sports-host-internet-invitational-villain-luke-kwon/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> As a result, he was penalized four holes by [Dave Portnoy](/source/Dave_Portnoy), the host and rules commissioner for the event. When he arrived, he was considered disrespectful to the competition and rude to his partner, [PFT Commenter](/source/PFT_Commenter).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nate |title=The Internet Has United In Hatred Of Golfer Luke Kwon Who Was A Tremendous Asshole At The Internet Invitational |url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3556183/the-internet-has-united-in-hatred-of-golfer-luke-kwon-who-was-a-tremendous-at |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=www.barstoolsports.com |language=en}}</ref> It was later discovered that Kwon was almost kicked off of his college golf team for similar incidents of oversleeping.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Carson |last2= |first2= |last3= |last4= |first4= |date=2019-11-29 |title=From Oklahoma to China, Kwon perseveres to keep dream alive |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/norman-oklahoma-qinhuangdao-china-kwon-perseveres-keep-dream-alive |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>  

There were two separate cheating allegations in the finals of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-17 |title=YouTube's $1 million Invitational was going so well - but then came the cheating accusations {{!}} National Club Golfer |url=https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/features/internet-invitational-cheating/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=www.nationalclubgolfer.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> The first cheating allegations involved [Paige Spiranac](/source/Paige_Spiranac).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Sydney |date=2025-11-21 |title=Internet Invitational Leaves Paige Spiranac in Tears |url=https://heavy.com/sports/golf/internet-invitational-leaves-paige-spiranac-in-tears/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Heavy Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Matthew |date=2025-11-21 |title=Paige Spiranac shares first post since cheating scandal by ending LPGA feud |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/athlete-lifestyle/news/paige-spiranac-shares-first-post-since-cheating-scandal-internet-invitational-ending-lpga-feud |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=The Athlete Lifestyle On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> Paige tamped down on some [fescue](/source/fescue) to give her partner, Malosi, a better lie on hole 9, which was later communicated by Peter Finch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-20 |title=The difference in culture between US and UK golfers was made abundantly clear during the Internet Invitational cheating row {{!}} National Club Golfer |url=https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/club/features/us-and-uk-golf-culture-internet-invitational/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=www.nationalclubgolfer.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Paige started crying and claimed that she did not know that she could not improve her lie by tamping down the fescue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=GolfWRX |date=2025-11-14 |title=Paige Spiranac left in tears after being accused of improving lie at Internet Invitational |url=https://www.golfwrx.com/769328/paige-spiranac-left-in-tears-after-being-accused-of-improving-lie-at-internet-invitational/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=Paige Spiranac cheating accusations, crying meltdown rocks golf world to its core |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/athlete-lifestyle/news/paige-spiranac-cheating-accusations-crying-meltdown-rocks-golf-world-to-its-core |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=The Athlete Lifestyle On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> Her team lost the hole regardless, and no further action against her team was taken.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-11-14 |title=Internet Invitational Finale Has Controversy, Tears |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/internet-invitational-finale-has-controversy-tears/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref>  

On hole 10, a further controversy arose when it was alleged that Paige's teammate Malosi was using his slope function on his rangefinder, which was strictly prohibited for the event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-22 |title=Good Good's Brad Dalke weighs in on drama that ruled the Internet Invitational |url=https://golf.com/news/good-good-brad-dalke-drama-ruled-internet-invitational/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> [Ryan Whitney](/source/Ryan_Whitney_(ice_hockey)), a former [NHL](/source/National_Hockey_League) hockey player and host of Barstool's [Spittin' Chiclets](/source/Spittin'_Chiclets) podcast, asked Malosi if he was using his slope function on his range finder and Malosi quickly scurried to his golf cart and grabbed his range finder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=Dave Portnoy's $1 million Internet Invitational finished with two cheating controversies {{!}} New York Post |url=https://nypost.com/2025/11/14/sports/dave-portnoys-1-million-internet-invitational-finished-with-two-cheating-controversies/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |language=en-US}}</ref> It could not be determined if he was using the slope function, despite video review, and Malosi denied using slope, so his team was allowed to continue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holleran |first=Andrew |date=18 Nov 2025 |title=Paige Spiranac’s Teammate Officially Responds To ‘Cheating’ Accusations |url=https://thespun.com/golf/paige-spiranacs-teammate-officially-responds-to-cheating-accusations |website=The Spun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-18 |title=Paige Spiranac remains silent as Malosi cheating debate rages for Barstool golf |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/athlete-lifestyle/business/paige-spiranac-remains-silent-malosi-cheating-debate-rages-barstool-internet-invitational |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=The Athlete Lifestyle On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> 

== Future events ==
[Dave Portnoy](/source/Dave_Portnoy), the owner of Barstool Sports and the host/rules commissioner for the event, confirmed that the Internet Invitational will be an annual event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-20 |title=Dave Portnoy says Caitlin Clark, Kai Trump are in for Internet Invitational sequel |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/athlete-lifestyle/business/dave-portnoy-says-caitlin-clark-kai-trump-are-in-barstool-sports-internet-invitational-sequel |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=The Athlete Lifestyle On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> He has invited two golfers, [Caitlin Clark](/source/Caitlin_Clark) and [Kai Trump](/source/Kai_Trump), to the 2026 event, and they have each tentatively accepted the invite.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marner |first=Aaron |date=2025-11-21 |title=Caitlin Clark invited to $10 million Internet Invitational golf tournament |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/caitlin-clark-internet-invitational-golf-tournament-barstool-dave-portnoy/69500125 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=KCCI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Corlett |first=Tim |title=Two New Participants Announced For Second Internet Invitational |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/break80/2025/11/20/two-new-participants-announced-for-second-internet-invitational/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Portnoy stated that the prize for 2026 could potentially be ten million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Kevin |date=2025-11-21 |title='Both said yes': Internet Invitational eyes 2 huge stars for 2026 event |url=https://golf.com/news/internet-invitational-eyes-2-huge-stars-2026-yes/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Barstool Sports}}
Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2025
Category:Golf tournaments in Missouri
Category:YouTube events
Category:Barstool Sports
Category:Team golf tournaments
Category:Sports on YouTube
Category:Sports-related YouTube channels

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Internet Invitational](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Invitational) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Invitational?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.