Former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne is spending time away from the gym this week and discovering that sport still has a place in her routine, even if it now looks very different from the one that defined her collegiate career.
With competitive gymnastics behind her, Dunne no longer lives by rigid training blocks or performance deadlines. That shift has created space for curiosity, and golf has emerged as one of the activities catching her attention.
Dunne’s recent social media posts offered a glimpse into that transition. She shared moments from a visit to the SoFi Center, where she spent time on the greens and inside a golf simulator. The scenes were relaxed and informal, far removed from the intensity of competition floors and judging panels. At one point, she practised barefoot, an image that quietly summed up how different this phase feels.
The visit also carried a notable sporting crossover. Tiger Woods was at the venue ahead of his Jupiter Links team beginning its second season in the TGL. Although Woods remains sidelined by injury, he was still present and engaged, connecting with Dunne and her partner, Paul Skenes. For Dunne, it was another reminder that stepping away from gymnastics has not meant stepping away from elite sporting environments.
Her clips showed her working on short putts before moving to full swings with a driver. There was no sense of performance or expectation attached. Instead, it felt exploratory, a former athlete learning something new simply because she could.
A different relationship with sport and the spotlight
Golf also fits naturally into Dunne’s wider social circle. She shares a close friendship with Paige Spiranac, and the two have often appeared together at major events. Their bond was particularly visible during the launch celebration for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2024, where they attended the red-carpet festivities marking the publication’s 60th anniversary.
Despite her growing profile outside gymnastics, Dunne has been careful about how she defines herself. She has previously said she does not want to be labelled an “influencer,” preferring to be recognised as a former athlete and model. That distinction matters when viewing her recent golf interest. This is not a calculated pivot or a rebrand. It is an extension of someone figuring out what life looks like after years of structure and sacrifice.
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