Paige Spiranac put together one of the most impressive performances of the weekend as she and her partner, Big John, comfortably defeated former NBA champion J.R. Smith and golf creator Craig Hogle in the 2026 Polymarket Classic.
The celebrity golf event was livestreamed on Kick and YouTube and featured an 18-hole scramble that combined professional golf with live betting and entertainment.
While fans expected a much closer contest, Spiranac and Big John turned it into a one-sided affair early on.
View this post on Instagram
From the opening holes, the duo were in complete control. They raced out to a commanding 7-1 lead, leaving Smith and Hogle searching for answers. Their chemistry was evident throughout the round, with both players consistently applying pressure through booming drives and clutch putting.
Big John delivered an outstanding performance of his own, but it was Spiranac who stole much of the spotlight. The former professional golfer had a difficult start, sitting eight over par through the opening three holes.
However, she battled back to finish with a 6-over 78, highlighted by five birdies. The moment of the day came when she drained a spectacular long-range eagle putt that quickly went viral across social media.
Every time Smith and Hogle appeared to have a chance to claw their way back into the match, Spiranac or Big John answered with another birdie, booming drive or clutch putt.
Big John’s performance was arguably the best of the day. Despite having a few drinks in the round, he finished with a 6-under 67 and played some of the best golf of the event.
J.R. Smith finished with a decent three-over 76, and it was just not enough. The former NBA champion has developed into a serious golfer since retiring from basketball and has even competed at the collegiate level.
But this just wasn’t his day. Smith had a decent round, but the pressure applied by Spiranac and Big John was just too much.
One of the more unique aspects of the Polymarket Classic was its integration of live prediction markets. As the match became increasingly one-sided, the betting odds shifted dramatically. Spiranac and Big John’s win probability climbed as high as 99.5%, effectively ending any realistic hopes of a comeback well before the closing holes.
But this defeat will not deter Smith, who has made a name for himself. One bad day will not diminish how far he has come since making the switch from basketball to golf. This day belonged to Paige Spiranac and Big John.
They controlled the match from the opening hole, produced several viral highlights and never allowed their opponents back into the contest. This was supposed to be a competitive match, but it became a one-sided contest. J.R. Smith was not at his best, and he finished the day at the receiving end of a humiliating defeat.
