AUGUSTA, Ga. — On the eve of the Masters, an important event of the 12 months, Collin Morikawa on Tuesday tripled down on controversial remarks he made final month about event media obligations.
Morikawa’s ordeal started when he misplaced a three-shot lead with three holes to play to winner Russell Henley on the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Afterward, he declined to talk to reporters and bolted to the locker room.
The next week, on the Gamers Championship, Morikawa defined to reporters, “I don’t owe anybody something.
No offense to you guys, however for me, within the second of that point, I didn’t wish to be round anybody.’’
After being broadly criticized for that stand, he would later double down on it.
And when requested about it Tuesday, he once more reiterated his stance.
Morikawa insisted he was “not upset by’’ the criticism he took, saying, “I believe everybody took it in a flawed course.’’
Then he added, “Look, I mentioned I might have mentioned it in another way. However I stand by what I mentioned. I used to be within the second. We speak about giving individuals area to be who they’re, and at the moment it was for me to be who I used to be. I didn’t wish to be round anybody. I didn’t even wish to be round my spouse. I mentioned hello to her after, we hugged, and I simply went straight to the locker room.
“In that facet … I believe there must be a stability, and an ebb and movement between every thing. I do wish to be right here for you guys [reporters], however right here’s the factor: I’ve been within the prime 5 on this planet earlier than and other people don’t come as much as me and ask me questions. You may’t simply ask me once I’m taking part in effectively.
“You guys must be asking the highest 10 gamers each single week, each single day and simply doc it. You then get a way of who we’re and also you get a movement of how that involves be. There’s a stability, proper?
“If you happen to guys don’t wish to ask me, it’s not my job to exit and let you know my story. Generally it’s, however you do this via social media, you do this via taking part in effectively, profitable tournaments. However not everyone seems to be like that.’’
When Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2 on this planet, was requested in regards to the feedback made by Morikawa, ranked No. 4, he delivered an fascinating response.
“Effectively, he’s proper,’’ McIlroy mentioned. “Not that I believe he might have worded it a bit bit higher, however look, each different athlete — whether or not it’s within the NBA, NFL — they’re obligated [by the respective leagues] to talk to you guys after a recreation. We’re not.
“Whether or not that’s one thing that the PGA Tour appears to be like to when it comes to placing that into their guidelines and rules … however so long as that’s not the case and we’ve got that choice to choose out each time we wish, count on guys to do this every so often.’’
Apparently, Paul McGinley — a former participant, Ryder Cup captain and present Golf Channel analyst — not too long ago referred to as for the PGA Tour powers to institute a rule requiring gamers to meet media obligations.
“I might be very robust on it if I used to be [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay Monahan,’’ he mentioned.
