"He's right, we're not, so..." Rory McIlroy defends Collin Morikawa decision to shun golf media

Rory McIlroy believes Collin Morikawa was right when he said he owes the media nothing by refusing to speak to them after his tough loss at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month. 

Morikawa, 28, received plenty of heat from a number of golf critics and analysts for not speaking to the media when narrowly losing out to Russell Henley in the final round at Bay Hill. 

Former PGA Tour pro Rocco Mediate launched a scathing attack on Morikawa in the aftermath of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a signature event on the PGA Tour schedule. 

"Biggest bunch of horse---- you could ever say, period," Mediate said of Morikawa's decision to shun the media. 

"I mean, that is the dumbest, most selfish garbage you could ever say.

"Mr Palmer would've hunted him down. Trust me on that one because Mr Palmer told me one thing that stuck with me.

"[He said] 'You know what, Rock, it's real easy to go in and talk to somebody when you won or when you've played well, but can you do it when you don't? That's the key.' Obviously he can't."

Morikawa then came out swinging to reporters before teeing it up in his next tournament at The Players Championship.

The World No.4 explained he was merely "p---ed" in the moment and did not want to speak with anyone after a tough loss. 

"I just want to add one more thing," Morikawa told reporters at TPC Sawgrass last month. 

"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 [saying] that I don't owe anyone, but I don't owe anyone."

A reporter ahead of The Masters this week wanted to get McIlroy's take on the contentious subject, especially since the World No.2 did the same thing when storming out of Pinehurst after being denied the 2024 U.S. Open at the hands of LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau last June. 

"Well he [Morikawa] is right, not that I think he could have worded it a little bit better, but look every other athlete whether it be in the NBA or NFL, they are obligated to speak to you guys after a game, and we're not," said McIlroy. 

"So whether that's something the PGA Tour looks to and put that into their rules and regulations, but as long as that's not the case and we have the option to opt out when we want, expect guys to do that from time to time." 

When pressed on McIlroy's comments about siding with Morikawa's decision to shun the media at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Golfweek's Eamon Lynch said: "He's right as a matter of policy but I would argue wrong as a matter of principle."

"The players are not obligated in any of the rules and regulations of the PGA Tour to give time to the media afterwards, but it's another argument as to whether they ought to be obligated or feel an obligation." 

Lynch added: "They should look upon that as customer service, in a way when you have people who invested time and money in your product."

Four-time major champion McIlroy is attempting to complete the career grand slam at The Masters this week. 

Morikawa, on the other hand, is going in search of a third leg of the career grand slam having won majors at the US PGA (2020) and The Open (2021). 

McIlroy provided an update on his recent injury scare during his pre-tournament press conference at Augusta National.