Collin Morikawa has fired again at members of the media who criticised his resolution 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 resolution within the build-up to The Gamers, telling reporters in his pre-tournament press convention he was ‘simply p*****’ and ‘did not need to discuss 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 selfish garbage you could ever say” on his radio present, whereas Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee additionally criticised Morikawa’s behaviour throughout their ‘Reside 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 just want to add one more thing,” Morikawa mentioned unprompted on the finish of his post-round media. “I would chew 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.
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 little bit 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 particular person from media went to go comply with me as a result of, I do not know. However that is me. So for folks to be calling me out is – it is fascinating. It does not present something.
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“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 touch upon it that we felt that he had an obligation, making an allowance for the large quantities of monies they play for now and likewise the significance of media within the sport. You have got an obligation to, even when it is a small soundbite.
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Collin Morikawa is at present 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 lots 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 an enormous boy. We are able to take it. It isn’t a biggie, however most of this stuff get blown up.”
Solheim Cup legend Dame Laura Davies added in Sky Sports’ coverage: “While you do blow a event, and we have all finished 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 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 might finished the press factor, however that was the way you launched your stress. Simply to clean them, that is not a very good factor.”
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