Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa were among the players to have struggled at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious.
McIlroy finished T47 at the PGA Championship on three-over, as he failed to continue his momentum from The Masters.
His fellow PGA Tour player Morikawa finished right behind him in T50 on four-over, with Scheffler lifting the trophy after finishing on 11-under.
But the Northern Irishman’s dealings with the media have arguably come under the spotlight more than his efforts on the course.
McIlroy has been criticised for not speaking to the media at Quail Hollow, having snubbed reporters after all four of his rounds.
What Brandel Chamblee thinks of Rory McIlroy after he didn’t speak to PGA Championship media
The five-time major champion took similar action after the final round of the 2024 US Open, with Brandel Chamblee having now shared his take on the situation.
He said on The Favourite Chamblee podcast: “I look at Rory as the most important voice in the game. I look at him as the best voice in the game. I think he is one of the brightest people I have been around.
“One of the most articulate. One of the most thoughtful. He is not afraid to walk back or address things he has said in the past as his views on it evolve and change.
“Famously he said something along the lines of the Ryder Cup was an exhibition and he said he wouldn’t play in the Olympics.
“He now says the things he most wants to do are win an away Ryder Cup and win a gold medal. His views evolve as your views should.
“If your views are not evolving, you are not looking at your opinions. You are not trying to, you’re not learning. And I think he has done that in a very mature way. I just think his voice is too important.”
Brandel Chamblee predicts rule change after Collin Morikawa media snub
McIlroy certainly isn’t the only player to have avoided media duties in recent times, with his close friend Shane Lowry having recently done the same.
And Morikawa has been in the same position, ignoring his media duties after losing late on at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this season.
After being criticised for not speaking to the media after his late collapse, Morikawa said he doesn’t ‘owe anyone anything’.
Continuing his verdict, Chamblee said of his fellow American: “And I think Collin Morikawa too. I think he’s a nice guy and a bright guy.
“He could have said what he said better, he could have said any number of things. I wish I had that moment over again, I was in the throes of great disappointment.
“Whatever. It just hit the ear wrong when he said I don’t owe you anything. I don’t know Collin. But I like him. How could I not?
“He looks like a fun guy. And I certainly love watching him play. And I think he’s bright. I’d like to hear from him. So going forward I think what is going to happen is that they will be contractually obligated to speak.”
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