Collin Morikawa continues to sound off on reporter after Round 1 at Rocket Classic
Collin Morikawa opens with a steady 3-under 69 in the first round of the Rocket Classic, and then continues to unload on Golfweek reporter.
To say Collin Morikawa is frustrated with Golfweek reporter Adam Schupak is an understatement during this week's Rocket Classic.
Morikawa, 28, first hit out at Schupak during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.
It was all over the manner in which Schupak approached him to speak about his caddie situation while he was playing in the morning Pro-Am.
News emerged on the eve of the Rocket Classic that Morikawa had split with caddie Joe Greiner after just five tournaments together on the PGA Tour.
In his article for Golfweek, he wrote that Morikawa said "ask me anything you want in my press conference later. I'm with my pro-am partners now."
That specific quote did not sit well with Morikawa, who felt it shed him in a bad light.
Morikawa made his feelings clear to Schupak in front of other golf reporters in the media centre.
It led to a very awkward exchange.
Schupak felt the complete opposite, citing he felt he had given Morikawa credit for being focused on his pro-am partners.
Fast forward 24 hours and Morikawa once again took aim at Schupak after carding a 3-under 69 in the first round of the Rocket Classic.
Morikawa was pressed by one reporter to discuss why he felt it was so important for him to stand up for himself in the media centre on Wednesday.
He did not hold back in his response, also referencing Schupak's apparent treatment of him when he refused to speak with reporters after his tough defeat to Russell Henley at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.
Watch Morikawa's latest interview here:
“I think I have to stand up for myself because I’m not going to let someone throw little jabs at me…”
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 26, 2025
Collin Morikawa follows up on the exchange he had with a reporter during his pre-tournament press conference. https://t.co/XXdJn5Foxj pic.twitter.com/qPhaKhDSC5
"Well, because I think everyone should, and that's a trait that you should learn how to do," said Morikawa.
"At a point you can only follow so much and you have to stand up for yourself.
"Look, this has happened twice between the same -- between me and Alan [sic.]
"It hasn't happened between anyone else. A lot of other reporters, media, I respect everyone.
"This whole idea that I don't do it. I mean, I've looked up how many times I've finished second, it's not once.
"You know, I think for me to -- I have to stand up for myself because I'm not going to let someone throw little jabs at me and just make me into someone I'm not because I know who I am and that's all that matters.
"I know my people, my team, my family know who I am, but this whole perception out there right now is just, it's a little ridiculous.
"Granted, you know, we've seen a few players do it as well, but that's not who I am.
"I am here for you guys, but it's just, you know, did it one time and so be it."
Morikawa's opening round of 3-under 69 at the Rocket Classic leaves him with plenty of work to do for a first PGA Tour title in 20 months.
That's because South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter and America's Kevin Roy both shot a course-record 10-under 62.
They hold a one-shot lead over Australia's Min Woo Lee.
One of the pre-tournament favourites in Patrick Cantlay opened with a 6-under 66.
Morikawa took specific aimat his putting as the reason for his slow start, citing he "putted like a blind man".
"It's just an uncomfortable feeling shoving everything and not being able to square up the face," he added.
"It's tough. On greens that are you've got a lot of poa growing in, you have to just be confident with your stroke, and there was just no confidence today after seeing a couple miss."
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
