Collin Morikawa and Rory Mcilroy have not become friends of the media this week before the Masters.
After a difficult loss in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Morikawa chose not to speak with the media. Days later, he said no “owed anything to anyone.”
“There are no offend for you, but for me, at the time of that time, I didn’t want to be close to anyone. As I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t need any plot. I didn’t need any ‘good game’. As you are just P — Ed,” he said at that time.
CLICK HERE for more sports coverage at Foxnews.com
Rory Mcilroy and Collin Morikawa celebrate after Mcilroy left a bunker in hole 18 during the final round of the masters. (Michael Madrid/USA Today Sports)
The conversation returned in Augusta National on Tuesday, and Morikawa defended his position.
“I could have said it differently, but I maintain what I said. I was at the time,” Morikawa said on Tuesday in Augusta. “We talked about giving people space to be who they are and, at that time, it was for me to be. And I didn’t want to be close to anyone. I didn’t even want to be close to my wife. As I said ‘Hello’ later, we hugged each other and went directly to the costume.”
Morikawa then offered his opinion on the situation.
Collin Morikawa of the United States reacts after Birdie in the eighth green during the third round of the 2024 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2024, in Augusta, GA. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
“In that aspect, there must be a balance and a flow and flow between everything. I want to be here for you,” he said. “But here is the thing: I’ve been among the first five in the world before, and people don’t approach me and ask me questions. You can’t ask me [questions] When I’m playing well. As, you should ask the 10 best players every week, every day, and simply document it.
“Then you have an idea who we are, and you get a flow of how that is. Then, there is a balance. If you do not want to ask me, it is not my job to go out and tell you my story. Sometimes, but do it through social networks. They do that through what plays well, winners of the tournaments. But not all are like that. So, that’s why I don’t do everything, what I know … what I am playing well They are like that.
Rory Mcilroy did the same as Morikawa after his collapse in the US Open last year and pointed out on Tuesday that the golfers are not obliged to speak with the media.
“Well, he’s right,” Mcilroy said. “Look, any other athlete, either in the NBA, the NFL, are forced to talk to you after a game. We are not. If that is something that the PGA tour seeks in terms of putting that in the rules and regulations. But, as long as that is not the case, and we have that option to opt for every time we want, we hope that the boys do that of time until the time.”
Rory Mcilroy aligns a putt in Green 17 while Collin Morikawa looks during the first round of 150th championship open at the Old Course of St. Andrews. (Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports)
The masters, which Mcilroy and Morikawa aim to win for the first time, moves away on Thursday.
