Rory McIlroy delivers his verdict on Collin Morikawa’s controversial comments recently in pre Masters press conference

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Rory McIlroy has been speaking ahead of The Masters and appeared to leap to the defence of fellow PGA Tour star, Collin Morikawa.

Morikawa has been in the headlines recently for having a bit of a rift with sections of the media.

It comes after Morikawa lost the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the final hole to Russell Henley and from there, the American ignored most of his media duties.

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However, it was Morikawa’s comments afterwards, in which he suggested he didn’t have an obligation to speak to the media, that caused the most issues.

But speaking on the issue now, Rory McIlroy appears to have sided with Morikawa.

Rory McIlroy sides with Collin Morikawa after recent controversy

McIlroy was speaking to the assembled media ahead of The Masters getting underway and the conversation turned to Morikawa and his media problems of late.

However, rather than put Morikawa down, McIlroy insisted his fellow player was right and in the end, it’s uo to the PGA Tour if they want to make certain media duties an obligation.

“He’s right,” McIlroy quickly replied. “He could have worded it a bit better but whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they are obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We are not.

“Whether that is something that the PGA Tour looks to in terms of putting it into their rules and regulations…but as long as that is not the case and we have that option to opt out whenever we want, expect guys to do that from time to time.”

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Who has criticised Collin Morikawa for ignoring his media duties?

In the aftermath of the Arnold Palmer, Morikawa came in for stinging criticism.

Morikawa doubled down on his comments at The Players, picking out certain media members for direct criticism.

“I just want to add one more thing. I might bite my tongue after saying this…but to the Brandel Chamblee’s, the Rocco Mediate’s, the Paul McGinley’s, I don’t regret anything I said,” Morikawa said.

“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 grateful for them you know it makes me emotional but it hurts to hear people say this, especially you guys [the media].”

Since then, Rich Beem has called on Morikawa to look at the likes of Max Homa as an example of how to behave even when struggling.

Of course, Paul McGinley has also criticised Morikawa more than once on the matter, and it doesn’t seem like everything has gone away just yet.

If Morikawa has a nightmare at Augusta, it will certainly be interesting to see just how he reacts.