Collin Morikawa is Pushing Back on Golf Media, But It’s a Slippery Slope

Collin Morikawa seemed to be the next big thing in golf a few years ago. Early in his career, he captured two Major Championships, plenty of big wins, and looked to be on pace to contend for the Career Grand Slam with plenty of time left in his professional career.

But since 2023, Morikawa has been a shell of himself on the golf course. It has continued into this year, but now it seems to be spreading off the course as well, and into the media room, where he has had several tense interactions with reporters so far in 2025.

Look, even as a media member, I get it. I have been writing as a career for six years, three of which have been here at Golficity. I even scratch my head when I hear some of the questions journalists ask the best athletes in the world. I can remember Chris Paul being asked if his Clippers would win Game 6 of a playoff series. What kind of question is that?

However, Morikawa appears to be in a place where he’s more defensive about his play and decisions, such as his recent decision to part ways with Joe Greiner after just a few weeks, rather than being frustrated with the expectations.

He even took offense to something a reporter wrote about his response to a question during a Pro-Am, where he said that he would answer questions during his presser, not when he was playing with people who paid a lot of money to hit play with him.

The issue with writing is that you cannot tell what tone is being used. Morikawa took what was written as the reporter was upset he wasn’t answering a question. The reporter said he meant it as a compliment; that Morikawa was paying attention to his playing partners instead of making time for media, which would be ideal:

Collin Morikawa had a tense exchange with a reporter at today’s press conference over reports about his most recent caddie switch. pic.twitter.com/kJIuYSqLhs

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 25, 2025

The frustration is totally understandable on Collin’s part. The issue is that golfers seem to have less of a leash when it comes to the media. Rory McIlroy really has not put up with any of the bait that reporters tend to push at players, and it has made him lose more fans than he has gained. I’ve never seen such a negative tone surrounding Rory until this year when he really decided to push back at the media, and I can’t blame him.

Morikawa, while in the same boat, seems to be projecting some of his on-course frustration to the media, and that’s disappointing to see. He’s a great player with tons of potential, but now I’m starting to see similar comments about him as I have with Rory:

I see he’s taking cues from Rory these days. What’s up with these PGAT guys all being soft as baby shit?

— Hotel_Golf (@HotelActually) June 25, 2025

Colin’s been losing it recently

— Under Review (@ViewsinReview) June 25, 2025

I don’t want to cast stones: If I weren’t playing well and then had to go talk to a bunch of people who ask the same questions every week, I’d be annoyed too. However, the paycheck, the lifestyle, and the job description all point toward one solution: just answer the questions and realize most reporters are trying to generate clicks. It’s part of our job description, and I can’t speak for everyone, but I hate it as well.

Nevertheless, it’s nothing different than a prize fighter selling a fight. They act like their upcoming opponent is their worst enemy, so more people buy the pay-per-views. Reporters have to sensationalize relatively meaningless stories to generate money. It’s a sad reality.

I hope that Collin Morikawa gets fair reporting, and I also hope reporters can become assets to the players instead of thorns in their sides.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR