Golfers often appear calm under pressure. But sometimes that composure cracks for the cameras to see. Collin Morikawa was in such a spot at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2025. Instead of facing media agencies right away after his gut-wrenching T2 finish, Morikawa addressed them after a couple of days’ break. This led to a feud between him and the media. Months later, he is giving some clarity on it with a calm mind.

“The things I would say, I know I’d be fined, right? Like in the heat of a moment. We would all be, a lot of us. That’s just kind of the unfiltered nature of it. And I know some people want to hear that. I also don’t want to pay a fine,” Collin Morikawa told the Fore Play Podcast Plus, addressing his feud with the golf media.

The 6x PGA Tour winner was on his way to bag his 7th title at Bay Hill, his first since the Zozo Championship ’23. But despite a three-stroke lead going into the final 9 holes, he lost the event. Russell Henley outdid him with one bogey, two birdies, and an eagle in the last 9 holes. Henley hit a 309-yard first stroke, followed by a 192-yard stroke, and a successful putt on a par-5, hole 16 to make an eagle. On the other hand, Collin Morikawa hit two bogeys and only one birdie in the final 9. In the end, he lost to Henley by one stroke.

After Morikawa lost a near-win, he was frustrated. That’s why he didn’t want to address the media right away. He felt the emotions might take over him during the interaction. “I’ve talked about it with a bunch of guys, and there’s just, there’s no filter period for us to come off and like have a little breather. And you know some people want to see us right after,” Morikawa said. “But you know, I, like you said, I was there two days later answering questions, and like, I’m always going to answer questions. It’s just sometimes I need a little bit of time.”

Collin Morikawa has talked about this infamous feud multiple times.

“Just heated. Just pissed,” he said about how he felt after the loss. However, he did use some words that fueled his feud. “Like, 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,” he said. This stance drew widespread criticism from many media agencies and golf commentators.

Brandel Chamblee and Rocco Mediate were especially vocal about it. Rocco Mediate went on to say, “Biggest bunch of horses*** you could ever say, period. I mean, that is the dumbest, most selfish garbage you could ever say.” Brandel Chamblee had similar feelings, as he felt Morikawa’s move was disrespectful. “When I found that he had refused to do the interview, I was thinking about the players who had suffered far more devastating losses, far more momentous losses, who regained their equilibrium and with class gave the media,” Chamblee said.

However, Collin Morikawa once again stood his ground. After the second round at The Players Championship, he poked at the media once again. “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.”

Morikawa’s stance on accountability didn’t end with his media feud. It resurfaced at the Ryder Cup, where he once again distanced himself from what many believed required a player’s responsibility.

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Colling Morikawa denied responsibility for fan behavior at the 2025 Ryder Cup

Many people believe that the crowd at the 2025 Ryder Cup was the worst in the game’s history. There were many heckling and personal abuse instances the European team had to face. Right before the game started, the HC encouraged chants of “F**k you, Rory!” Some fans even threw a beer can at Rory McIlroy’s wife. Fans didn’t even shy from taking personal jabs at Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre for their physiques.

Collin Morikawa was part of the American team. He was one of Keegan Bradley’s captain’s picks. Before the Ryder Cup, Morikawa was hoping “Friday is just absolute chaos.” However, he denied responsibility for what went down at Bethpage Black. At the Baycurrent Classic, when the media asked his opinion, Morikawa said, “That’s not on me.” The 6x PGA Tour winner said that his words were taken out of context. He just wanted energy and proud support from fans, not rudeness or hostility. Despite his clarification, many golf analysts and fans criticized him. Some fans even said that he should never have been on the team.

Morikawa’s recent controversies highlight the line between honesty and accountability in professional golf. Whether it’s facing the media or addressing fan behavior, his words continue to spark debate over what athletes truly owe to the sport beyond their performance.