Shane Lowry and Brandel Chamblee were on complete opposite sides of the fence regarding one specific topic which caused real controversy on the PGA Tour in 2025.
Lowry endured a topsy-turvy season – one which yielded zero PGA Tour wins but ended in glory as he holed the putt which retained the Ryder Cup for Europe at Bethpage Black in September.
However, the Irishman cut a really frustrated figure throughout the regular season, and was seen losing his cool out on the golf course on numerous occasions.
Lowry had a meltdown during the US Open in June, and regularly seemed angrier than he previously had been during tournaments in years gone by.
The best example of Lowry uncharacteristically losing his temper came after his third round at The Masters back in April, and it led to a huge debate, with the 2019 Open champion in complete disagreement with Brandel Chamblee.
Shane Lowry asked the PGA Tour to take action after The Masters
Lowry was right in contention at The Masters before a terrible finish to his third round saw him fall away.
When speaking to the press after his third round at Augusta National back in April, Lowry let loose and demanded change.
“I’m going to go and — we talk about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago,“ the Irishman said. “I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can’t be coming to talk to you guys straightaway. It shouldn’t be happening. I don’t agree with it.
“Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That’s how I feel. I’m probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I’m p—– off right now. I’m just going to leave, okay?“
Lowry said those comments in the heat of the moment.
However, the problem was that many more players seemed to take inspiration from the Irishman, and regularly skipped media duties throughout the remainder of the season.
Brandel Chamblee called for a rule change after Shane Lowry’s remarks
Just one month after Lowry’s outburst at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy caused a real controversy by skipping media duties after all four rounds at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
And in response to the Northern Irishman’s actions, Chamblee urged the PGA Tour to make a rule change.
It was suggested to the golf analyst that the PGA Tour should make it mandatory for players to speak to the press after their rounds.
Chamblee said: “It would not surprise me if that is forthcoming with the SSG. I think it would be a great idea.
“I think we blur the distinction here. It’s not talking to the media. It is talking to the world of golf. We are just the conduit to that. It’s not that they are obligated to talk, and this is I think what hit the ear so hard with Collin Morikawa’s comments. It’s not the media, it’s the world of golf that tunes in and watches and buys the product of the sponsors which pay their salaries. It is the world of golf. So when they don’t talk they are not talking, not to us, but to the world of golf.
“You’re right, I don’t know anybody who doesn’t pull for or love Rory McIlroy and think that he gives the most insightful and thoughtful answers in the world of golf and there is no question he could have put this to bed if he would have spoken.“
I have to say, I am in full agreement with Chamblee. Professional golfers are paid more than enough money to do what they do, and they owe it to their fans to come out and share their thoughts after their rounds.
PGA Tour players like Lowry would earn a fraction of what they do without the fans. As a result, they should all put up with the mild inconvenience of speaking to the media after each and every round without complaint.
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