After refusing to speak with media following his final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Collin Morikawa raised eyebrows at his Tuesday press conference at TPC Sawgrass, where he bluntly stated that he “doesn’t owe the media anything.” This comment ignited a firestorm of criticism from golf analysts and insiders, but perhaps none as pointed as Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis’s response during a recent episode of the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav.
“He doesn’t owe us anything because you’re one of the best reporters on the planet. He doesn’t owe us anything. We’re reporters, we’re here to gather information,” Lewis acknowledged initially. But then came the reality check that cut to the heart of professional golf’s ecosystem: “But I completely agree with you, he does owe the fans… and without those fans, Collin Morikawa wouldn’t be a multi-millionaire living in a really nice place in Las Vegas.”
It is true! Morikawa owes it to the fans, and he knows it too. When he got bashed for his remarks by the community, he explained to his fans. “I respect the fans. I’m very thankful for them. I’m grateful. It makes me emotional, but it’s just — it hurts to hear people say this, and especially you guys, 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. I was signing for every single person right after the round, whether they wanted it or not. I finished second. They could care less. But yeah, I’m going to leave it at that, all right? So thank you guys.” Morikawa thinks that the media is purposely turning him into a villain just because he refused to give interviews.
Lewis acknowledged Morikawa’s value to the game as “an asset to the PGA Tour” and “a tremendous elite player,” but he didn’t hold back in his assessment of the two-time major winner’s perspective. Lewis also highlighted Morikawa’s previous willingness to participate in media initiatives, including an in-round walk-and-talk interview during the Sony Open in Hawaii when Morikawa was “in the throes of the competition” and leading the tournament.
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Collin Morikawa of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025 at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 01, 2025 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
However, the veteran reporter’s most salient point spoke to a fundamental misunderstanding that seems to plague many players regarding the role media plays in golf’s overall ecosystem. “I think he’s missing the mark here,” Lewis said before explaining how media members serve as vital conduits between players and their fans.
Media’s crucial role in golf’s financial ecosystem
For all the complaints some players might have about media obligations, the reality remains that golf journalists serve as the primary bridge connecting players to millions of fans worldwide. “We as media members, are an extension of the fans. We get his information, his quotes, his thoughts, his video, his comments, all to those fans,” Lewis explained, highlighting the symbiotic relationship that ultimately benefits everyone involved—especially the players themselves.
The financial structure of professional golf relies heavily on fan engagement, viewer interest, and sponsor investment—all of which depend on the storytelling and access that media provides. Unlike some sports where revenue primarily comes from ticket sales, golf’s economic model heavily depends on broadcasting rights, sponsor activation, and long-term fan engagement—areas where media serves as the essential connector. When Lewis mentions, “We didn’t get into television or print for our ego,” he speaks to the true purpose of golf journalism: “We have a responsibility to give our viewers, to give our listeners, to give our readers the best information we can because that’s our passion.”
Professional golf’s history is filled with talented players who never connected with fans and faded into obscurity, while less-skilled but more media-savvy players built enduring careers and lucrative endorsement portfolios. The difference often comes down to how well players understand and leverage the media’s role in building their brands and contributing to the sport’s overall growth. While Morikawa might not owe Lewis personally, the ecosystem that writes his paychecks certainly relies on the work Lewis and his colleagues perform.
The post ‘Wouldn’t Be a Multi-Millionaire’: Collin Morikawa Hit With a Harsh Reminder After Dismissing Media Obligations appeared first on EssentiallySports.