Collin Morikawa claps back at criticism from Brandel Chamblee, Paul McGinley, Rocco Mediate
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Collin Morikawa has heard the criticism of his decision to decline speaking to the media on Sunday after losing a three-stroke lead with five holes to go at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. On Friday, Morikawa doubled down on his claim that "I don’t owe anyone anything.”
Morikawa birdied half the holes at TPC Sawgrass on Friday and shot 65 to move within two strokes of the lead and T-4 with Rory McIlroy at the midway point of the 2024 Players Championship. That round earned him another trip in front of the media. Morikawa answered 10 questions in all and as he finished explaining why he opted to chip with a 5-wood instead of an iron or using a putter, he stopped the assembled media who had started to walk away and said, “I just want to add one more thing.”
That entailed trying to clarify what happened on Sunday after he finished his round at Bay Hill and lost by one stroke to Russell Henley. Clearly, Morikawa is irritated at the response from former players-turned-TV commentators Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley on Golf Channel’s “Live From” and PGA Tour Champions pro Rocco Mediate, who skewered Morikawa on his PGA Tour Radio show.
“I might bite my tongue after saying this, but to the Brandel Chamblees, to the Paul McGinleys, to the Rocco Mediates of the world, I don't regret anything I said. You know, it might have been a little bit harsh that I don't owe anyone, but I don't owe anyone,” he said. “I respect the fans. I'm very thankful for them. I'm grateful. It makes me emotional, but it's just — it hurts to hear people say this, and especially you guys, because I finished the round and I went to go sign for 10 minutes, 15 minutes for all the people after. Not a single person from media went to go follow me because, I don't know. But that's me.
“So for people to be calling me out is — it's interesting. It just, it doesn't show anything. I mean, look, 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 could care less. But yeah, I'm going to leave it at that, all right? So thank you guys.”
To Morikawa’s credit, this is one of the better non-apology apologies. This is a non-story if Morikawa answers a handful of questions after coming out of scoring. But his comments on Tuesday fanned the flames.
“I don't owe anyone anything. No offense to you guys, but for me in the moment of that time, I didn't want to be around anyone. Like, I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't need any sorries. I didn't need any ‘good playings.’ Like, you're just pissed,” he said. “Honestly, if it was an hour later I would have talked to you guys, but an hour later I was on my way out to here, because I didn't want to be in Orlando anymore. But I just felt like I put everything I did into the, let's call it, seven hours of my time being there, right, a few hours before showing up, physio, workout. Look, my entire routine, right. I was just drained.
“I get it. Like you guys are there to figure out how we played and how things went, but in my perspective, like I just didn't want to talk to anyone, and I think that's fair to myself, you know.”
Morikawa continues to give the story he wants to go away more oxygen and still doesn’t seem to get why it feeds an image of pro golfers as greedy, entitled and out of touch with the rest of the world. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this war of (no) words.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Collin Morikawa doubles down on criticism after skipping media at API
-
Henley's chip-in eagle beats Morikawa at Bay Hill
Russell Henley, who trailed Collin Morikawa by three with five holes to play, took the lead with a chip-in eagle on No. 16 and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.ESPN - 6d -
The Players Championship: Collin Morikawa responds to his critics over 'I don't owe anyone anything' comment
Do professional athletes owe anyone anything when a game is over?Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Henley overhauls Morikawa with late eagle to win Arnold Palmer Invitational
Henley’s chip-in at 16th took him past fellow American Rory McIlroy to go to Augusta for Masters recce The slowest of burners preceded such a dramatic conclusion. The biggest victory of Russell ...The Guardian - Mar. 9 -
Influencer who snatched baby wombat from its mom issues apology
Sam Jones, the U.S. influencer who drew criticism this week for stealing a baby wombat from its mother, issued a lengthy apology on her Instagram account Saturday.NBC News - 1d -
WATCH: Collin Morikawa's caddy, JJ Jakovac, hits hole-in-one at TPC Sawgrass
Jakovac might have hit the shot of the weekend alreadyCBS Sports - 4d -
Players Championship 2025: Collin Morikawa aware of shortcomings, Justin Thomas admits sloth-like play
A digest from Tuesday at The Players ChampionshipCBS Sports - 5d -
Russell Henley surges ahead late to steal Arnold Palmer Invitational away from Collin Morikawa
Russell Henley picked up his first win in more than two years on Sunday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Schumer apologizes for calling Republicans 'bastards'
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quickly apologized for calling Republicans "bastards" on live television while criticizing their stopgap funding plan, which he will vote in favor of rather ...The Hill - 2d -
Star Texas golfer apologizes after heckling Rory
University of Texas golfer Luke Potter has apologized after he reportedly was removed from the grounds at TPC Sawgrass earlier this week for heckling star golfer Rory McIlroy.ESPN - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Best 2025 March Madness bracket names to use in NCAA Tournament pools
Filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket is only half the fun. Here are some bracket names to help get you started.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Katelyn Young scores 34 as Murray State powers past Belmont 83-62 to win Missouri Valley title
Katelyn Young scored 34 points to help power Murray State to its first Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship by beating Belmont 83-62 on Sunday. Young surpassed 3,000 career points ...Yahoo Sports - 15h
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 13m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 16m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 16m -
Norris' narrow Australian GP win over Verstappen belies McLaren dominance
Lando Norris won by just 0.8 second in Australia, but McLaren is a class apart from the F1 field.ESPN - 16m -
Josh Berry gets first career Cup Series win at Vegas
Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR's oldest team to victory lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.ESPN - 16m