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Behind-the-scenes of Golf Digest's cover shoot with Paulina Gretzky

Behind-the-scenes of Golf Digest's cover shoot with Paulina Gretzky

We take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of Golf Digest's controversial cover shoot for their May edition featuring Paulina Gretzky.

Gretzky, the daughter of legendary ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky's and fiance of PGA Tour player Dustin Johnson, courted plenty of criticism for the provocative cover.

LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan said he was "disappointed" and "frustrated" at the magazine's decision to feature Gretzky.

"If a magazine called Golf Digest is interested in showcasing females in the game, yet consistently steers away from the true superstars who've made history over the last few years, something is clearly wrong," he said.

Whan's remarks where echoed by world No3 Stacy Lewis. "We don't get respect for being the golfers that we are," she said.

"Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines. But at the same time you'd like to see a little respect for the women's game."

Former LPGA Tour star Lorena Ochoa in 2008 was the last female pro to appear on the magazine's cover. Golf Digest featured Golf Channel's Holly Sonders in May 2013 and model Kate Upton posed with Arnold Palmer for the December issue.

However, the magazine's editor in chief Jerry Tarde was unrepentant, hitting back: "Sports figures, celebrities and models have appeared on Golf Digest covers since the magazine's beginning," he said.

"Paulina ranks at the high end of the golf celebrity scene today, and she has a compelling story to tell. She also might get some new people interested in the game."