Collin Morikawa has fired again at members of the media who criticised his choice to snub reporters after failing to shut out Arnold Palmer Invitational victory on Sunday.
The 2-time main champion was three forward with 5 holes to play at Bay Hill and on the verge of a primary PGA Tour victory since October 2023, solely to falter alongside the closing stretch and end second behind Russell Henley.
Morikawa declined to talk to media post-round and defended his choice within the build-up to The Gamers, telling reporters in his pre-tournament press convention he was ‘simply p*****’ and ‘did not wish to speak to anybody’, earlier than including he did not ‘owe anybody something’.
Highlights from day 4 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the place Russell Henley snatched a dramatic victory
Former PGA Tour participant Rocco Mediate described the choice as “most egocentric rubbish you would ever say” on his radio present, whereas Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee additionally criticised Morikawa’s behaviour throughout their ‘Stay From’ programme at The Gamers.
Morikawa charged into competition on the PGA Tour’s marquee occasion after a second-round 65, lifting him inside two strokes of the clubhouse lead, the place he used his post-round interview to name out people who questioned his behaviour.
“I simply wish to add yet another factor,” Morikawa stated unprompted on the finish of his post-round media. “I would chunk my tongue after saying this, however to the Brandel Chamblees, to the Paul McGinleys, to the Rocco Mediates of the world, I do not remorse something I stated.
Collin Morikawa posted a powerful second-round 65, together with a near-ace on the iconic TPC Sawgrass seventeenth and two chip-in birdies
“It may need been slightly bit harsh that I do not owe anybody, however I do not owe anybody.
“I respect the followers. I am very grateful for them. I am grateful. It makes me emotional, however it hurts to listen to individuals say this [criticise], and particularly you guys [media], as a result of I completed the spherical and I went to go signal for 10 minutes, quarter-hour for all of the individuals after.
“Not a single individual from media went to go observe me as a result of, I do not know. However that is me. So for individuals to be calling me out is – it is fascinating. It would not present something.
“I get what you guys are saying. However I used to be there. I used to be signing for each single individual proper after the spherical, whether or not they wished it or not. I completed second. They could not care much less. However yeah, I’ll go away it at that, all proper?”
Morikawa’s media snub: ‘Unforgivable’ or a rising drawback?
“It is like most issues within the media, 98 per cent of what we are saying is so optimistic concerning the gamers,” McGinley stated throughout Sky Sports activities’ protection, following Morikawa’s quotes.
“We [Brandel Chamblee and I] made a touch upon it that we felt that he had an obligation, taking into consideration the large quantities of monies they play for now and likewise the significance of media within the sport. You’ve an obligation to, even when it is a small soundbite.
Collin Morikawa is at present world No 4 after two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour this season
“The good gamers within the historical past of the sport have at all times given interviews. Tiger Woods – and you’ll criticise them in so many various methods – however what he by no means shirked at any stage, even in his defeats, was giving an interview.
“I made it a broader level about – being round plenty of corporates and lots of people within the public – how there’s a actual apathy in the direction of the present crop of gamers that they want to pay attention to.
“Codes of behaviour are essential and requirements are essential. I am just a bit bit frightened that new norms could possibly be created. That was the purpose we made. It was a really broad one and it was a collective yet another than the rest.
“Collin had a say again, and that is okay. I imply, I am a giant boy. We will take it. It isn’t a biggie, however most of these items get blown up.”
Solheim Cup legend Dame Laura Davies added in Sky Sports activities’ protection: “Once you do blow a event, and we have all completed it over time, the one factor you have to do is face up.
Collin Morikawa’s caddie JJ Jakovac made a gap in a single on the well-known seventeenth gap at TPC Sawgrass in the course of the caddie competitors at The Gamers
“You’ll be able to’t take all of the glory of a win when you’re not ready to face there and clarify the place it went improper, whether or not it was you, whether or not somebody simply caught you. To clean the media, in his place, I feel it is unforgivable.
“I am with Paul [McGinley] and Brandel [Chamblee] – that is the one factor you have to do. I was imply to my caddie, everybody else after I might completed the press factor, however that was the way you launched your rigidity. Simply to clean them, that is not a very good factor.”
Who will win The Gamers? Watch all through the weekend dwell on Sky Sports activities? Protection continues on Saturday from 1pm on Sky Sports activities Golf, with 10 additional feeds – together with Featured Holes, Featured Teams and bonus protection – on Sky Sports activities+. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
