Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – Colin Morakawa is one of the most attractive and thoughtful players in golf.
That's why they quickly made an exit from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday in Bayhill after an overwhelming defeat to winner Russell Henry.
On Tuesday ahead of this week's athletes championship at TPC Sawgrass, Morikawa lost a three-shot lead on five holes, making it the first time since explaining the salty exit.
“I just heated it up and I just got mad,” he said. “There's no attack on you guys (the reporter), but for me at that moment, I didn't want to be around anyone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. You're just mad. I was just drained. I just didn't want to talk to anyone and I think it's fair to me. I don't owe anything to anyone.”
That last statement is controversial as players are responsible for not being written to make themselves available to the media, but based on Morikawa's usual way of running, he certainly deserves a Sunday pass.
In fact, they didn't blow the tournament as much as Henry won. Morikawa, who also shot Parr in the final round, did not seize the moment the moment was seized. And it hurts a little more, as he hasn't won the tournament since 2023, so it's up to him.
“There was a lot of frustration on Sunday nights,” Morikawa said. “Looking back at the past year, how it turned out to be autumn was finding ways to play better in the final round.
“Obviously, I didn't hit it either, I didn't throw it either, but I still had a chance to close it and Russ obviously played great golf.”
Morikawa has not built a career that didn't finish in the final round. He won two major championships – the PGA and the UK Open.
“I love being in that position,” he said. “But it was frustrating on a Sunday night. I know my last few finishes weren't that good. [but] You just go ahead. I'm going to think about that. I know what happened. I fully know how it unfolded. But I just have to move on and then I have to learn. I have to keep getting better. As I always say, “Why don't you win this week?”
Morikawa said he “hugged me” along with his caddy, Jonathan Jacovac and his wife after the final round was over on Sunday.
“I'm a pretty independent guy. I don't need anyone to spew me and say 'good job',” he said. “I know where I am. I know where I am. I know where I am with golf. I just need to win. I have to be able to close it. It's going to come to me. I'm the guy who's hitting the shot.
“We all know what happened. I have to get through it. I'm back on both feet, I'm trying to find a way to play my best golf here this week.”
