Collin Morikawa has fired again at members of the media who criticised his determination 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 determination 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’.
Former PGA Tour participant Rocco Mediate described the choice as “most selfish garbage you could 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 rivalry 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 just want to add one more thing,” Morikawa mentioned 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 mentioned.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Collin Morikawa posted a formidable second-round 65, together with a near-ace on the iconic TPC Sawgrass seventeenth and two chip-in birdies
“It may need been a bit of bit harsh that I do not owe anybody, however I do not owe anybody.
“I respect the fans. I’m very thankful for them. I’m grateful. It makes me emotional, but it hurts to hear people say this [criticise], and especially you guys [media], because I finished the round and I went to go sign for 10 minutes, 15 minutes for all the people after.
“Not a single individual from media went to go comply with 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. But I was there. I was signing for every single person right after the round, whether they wanted it or not. I finished second. They couldn’t care less. But yeah, I’m going to leave it at that, all right?”
Morikawa’s media snub: ‘Unforgivable’ or a rising downside?
“It’s like most things in the media, 98 per cent of what we say is so positive about the players,” McGinley mentioned throughout Sky Sports activities’ protection, following Morikawa’s quotes.
“We [Brandel Chamblee and I] made a comment on it that we felt that he had a duty, bearing in mind the huge amounts of monies they play for now and also the importance of media in the game. You have a duty to, even if it’s a small soundbite.
Collin Morikawa is at the moment world No 4 after two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour this season
“The great players in the history of the game have always given interviews. Tiger Woods – and you can criticise them in so many different ways – but what he never shirked at any stage, even in his defeats, was giving an interview.
“I made it a broader level about – being round a whole lot 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 important and standards are important. I’m just a little bit worried that new norms could be created. That was the point we made. It was a very broad one and it was a collective one more than anything else.
“Collin had a say again, and that is okay. I imply, I am a giant boy. We are able to take it. It is not a biggie, however most of these items get blown up.”
Solheim Cup legend Dame Laura Davies added in Sky Sports’ coverage: “While you do blow a match, and we have all carried out it over time, the one factor you have to do is face up.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Collin Morikawa’s caddie JJ Jakovac made a gap in a single on the well-known seventeenth gap at TPC Sawgrass through the caddie competitors at The Gamers
“You can’t take all the glory of a win if you’re not prepared to stand there and explain where it went wrong, whether it was you, whether someone just caught you. To blank the media, in his position, I think it’s 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 would carried out the press factor, however that was the way you launched your pressure. Simply to clean them, that is not an excellent factor.”
Who will win The Players? Watch throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports? Coverage continues on Saturday from 1pm on Sky Sports Golf, with 10 extra feeds – including Featured Holes, Featured Groups and bonus coverage – on Sky Sports+. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
