Collin Morikawa experienced a really challenging 2025 season on the PGA Tour and he rubbed plenty of people up the wrong way after some of his questionable behavior as well.
Morikawa failed to win for the second consecutive season on the PGA Tour, and he cut a really frustrated figure out on the course throughout 2025.
It was Morikawa’s poor putting on the PGA Tour that undermined his hopes of returning to the winner’s circle.
However, he caused plenty of controversy off the golf course as well, unfortunately.
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Throughout the year, things went from bad to worse for the two-time major champion.
Morikawa has called for change on the PGA Tour ahead of the 2026 season but ironically, it is he who needs to change certain things.
Rocco Mediate blasted Collin Morikawa for spewing ‘selfish garbage’
Morikawa’s best result in 2025 was a runner-up finish at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The 28-year-old lost out to Russell Henley by one shot in the end and immediately left the property, rather than addressing the awaiting media.
It was no surprise when Morikawa was criticized for not speaking to the press. It is something that every golfer should do, regardless of how they have actually performed on the day.
Numerous high-profile names went to town on Morikawa after his actions, including the likes of Brandel Chamblee, Rocco Mediate and Paul McGinley.
However, Morikawa stuck to his guns and sent a message to everyone who criticized the following week ahead of the Players Championship.
He said: “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.
“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 very thankful for them. I’m grateful.”It makes me emotional, but it hurts to hear people say this [criticize], and especially you guys [media], because I finished the round and I went to go sign for 10 minutes, 15 minutes for all the people after.
“Not a single person from media went to go follow me because, I don’t know. But that’s me. So for people to be calling me out is – it’s interesting. It doesn’t show anything.“
Morikawa continued: “I get what you guys are saying. But I was there. I was signing for every single person right after the round, whether they wanted it or not. I finished second. They couldn’t care less. But yeah, I’m going to leave it at that, all right?“
Rocco Mediate was not happy one little bit after Morikawa’s remarks, and lost his cool when speaking on his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show.
The 2008 US Open runner-up said: “Biggest bunch of h——– you could ever say, period. I mean, that is the dumbest, most selfish garbage you could ever say.“
Mediate certainly wasn’t playing around, and he meant every single word he said. Morikawa can excuse his behavior as much as he wants but deep down he will surely know that what he did was unacceptable.
Brandel Chamblee weighed in on Collin Morikawa controversy
Mediate was not the only person to respond to Morikawa’s comments.
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Brandel Chamblee is well known for his no-nonsense approach to broadcasting, so it’s no surprise that he didn’t hold back with his response to Morikawa.
Chamblee didn’t hold back with his response either, saying: “It’s so 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.
“And it’s not just giving the media, it is giving the fans and the sponsors and the entire ecosystem of the golf world an explanation of the humanity of losing.“
That is the main point that Morikawa missed. He thinks he doesn’t owe anyone anything.
Well, without support from the fans and the media’s coverage of PGA Tour events, he wouldn’t have the lifestyle that he does today.
Morikawa certainly owes the fans and the media a couple of minutes of his time after each and every round that he plays.
However, if he doesn’t agree with that sentiment deep down, expect to see more controversy next season.
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