'To The Brandel Chamblees, To The Paul McGinleys To The Rocco Mediates Of The World, I Don't Regret Anything I Said' - Collin Morikawa Issues Emotional Reply To Critics
The two-time Major winner told his critics that he doesn't regret his words after saying he doesn't owe anyone anything following his decision to not speak to the press on Sunday at Bay Hill


Collin Morikawa has responded to critics of his decision to not speak to media following his runner-up finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and specifically for his reasoning why he chose not to.
Morikawa opted not to speak to the press following his one-stroke loss to Russell Henley last week, where he was three ahead on the back nine before being overtaken after Henley's chip-in eagle on he 16th.
The Californian said he signed autographs for fans before leaving without talking to the media, and his explanation why didn't go down well with some figures in the game.
"Yeah, just heated. Just pissed. Like I don't owe anyone anything," Morikawa said ahead of The Players Championship on Tuesday.
Morikawa posted that "this one stings" on social media the day after his Bay Hill loss
"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.
"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.
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"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 addressed those who criticized his reasoning, including Rocco Mediate who was quoted with some strong words for the two-time Major winner on Sirius XM.
“Biggest bunch of horsesh** you could ever say, period. I mean, that is the dumbest, most selfish garbage you could ever say," Mediate said.
Following his second round at TPC Sawgrass this week, Morikawa had his reply, addressing Mediate as well as Golf Channel analysts Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley.
Rocco Mediate was not a fan of Morikawa's reasoning for skipping media
At the end of his questions in the mixed zone, he told media that he had one more thing that he wanted to say before leaving.
"Then I just want to add one more thing," Morikawa said.
"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. 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."
As Collin Morikawa's media scrum wrapped, he stopped and said he wanted to address criticism he received for not speaking to media after his runner-up at Bay Hill. "I don't regret anything I said... it hurts to hear people say this"Full comments⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6GYctLRD95March 14, 2025
Morikawa shot a superb 65 on Friday, the lowest round of the week so far, courtesy of nine birdies and two bogeys.
He is nine-under-par after two rounds, which currently trails Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia by two strokes.
The 2020 PGA Champion and 2021 Open Champion is seeking his first victory since the Zozo Championship in October 2023.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
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