While it seems to be incredibly rare for Jack Nicklaus to say anything controversial, the 18-time major champion did decide to plant his flag firmly in the ground when it came to his view on players giving interviews during their rounds this past week.
It has become increasingly common on the PGA Tour this year for players to speak to the media while out on the course. It is something which has happened on the DP World Tour for some time now.
The move seems to come off the back of Justin Thomas encouraging players to be more open with the press in an open letter ahead of the season. Players will often now provide a comment just before their rounds, while some will also answer a question or two as they make their way to their ball.
However, it seems that not everyone is a fan of the idea.
Jack Nicklaus admits he cannot stand on-course interviews at The Memorial Tournament
Jack Nicklaus said he cannot stand the interviews after seeing Ben Griffin take part in one during The Memorial Tournament. Nicklaus noted that Ben Hogan, in particular, would have had no time at all for a reporter approaching him during his round.
And interestingly, Rex Hoggard has suggested that he largely agrees with Nicklaus’ comments, as he spoke about his view on the Golf Channel Podcast.
“I heard it. I was actually hustling back to the tee box. I had to do another interview right after that one with a person from the Folds of Honor which Mr. Nicklaus actually did like. After it aired he said how much he liked that interview,” he said.
“To be clear on two fronts here. He did not say that he would punch me in the face. He said Ben Hogan would have.
“And I have no doubt Ben Hogan would have knocked my teeth out. Yes, if I showed up back in the 1950’s with a microphone on the 18th fairway at Merion trying to win the US Open, I don’t doubt Mr Nicklaus would punch me in the mouth!
“On the other side of this, I too am not a fan of those walk and talks. I don’t feel entirely comfortable with them. It’s something new, we keep trying. I would agree these are new and that it is a work in progress. We started doing them last fall. I would counter to Mr Nicklaus the legend and say that players have started to embrace them much more over the last few months – Ben Griffin being one of the primary examples.
“I remember talking with him at Colonial before he won, we were supposed to do a walk and talk with him that week, about some of the things that these are the questions I would like to ask, what would you like me to ask you.
“So I think it is moving in a better direction but I agree with Mr Nicklaus that I am not a huge fan of them right now either.”
On-course interviews defended following Jack Nicklaus’ criticism
There has been some pushback to Nicklaus’ comments. While Ryan Lavner admitted that the interviews may not be ideal, they do seem to enhance the viewing experience for fans.
“This has become standard fare in other sports, not just golf. You see it in baseball games between innings and between quarters in the NBA and NFL playoffs. Coaches who are warming up for a big game,” he said.
“Viewers just want to be brought closer to the game than ever before. Does the walk and talk accomplish that? Yes, I think it does. Is it illuminating for the viewer and are you learning something about Ben Griffin you wouldn’t ordinarily know? No, I think there is probably a different way to present that information but I don’t think any harm in doing it as long as the players don’t find it intrusive. As long as the players aren’t finding it off putting with the deep questions you might be asking them.
“I think it is a pretty innocent way to bring viewers closer so in that respect I think I disagree with Jack.”
As long as players do not mind speaking to the media, it is difficult to see where the harm is. Obviously, some players are probably never going to have any interest in taking part – and that is fair enough when their primary job is to play the best golf possible.
But Griffin, for example, has quickly become a star of the tour this year. And one of the reasons for that is arguably more of his personality has shone through.
As Lavner notes, on-course interviews only play a small part, but they still help.
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