Despite his absence from the 2025 PGA Tour, Tiger Woods continues to shine as an exemplar for many aspiring golfers. As the Valspar Championship progresses, with Rory McIlroy fresh off his victory at the Players Championship, Woods has been conspicuously absent. The iconic golfer is currently recuperating from an Achilles tendon surgery, which has resulted in his absence from significant tournaments such as the Players Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
A wave of chatter followed the Arnold Palmer Invitational, not because of Russell Henley’s triumphant victory, but due to the runner-up, Collin Morikawa’s behavior. The American golfer came under scrutiny for his refusal to engage with the media, prompting him to assert that he doesn’t ‘owe anyone’ in response to the criticism.
The Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, while speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav, addressed this issue. He emphasized the importance of Morikawa and his contemporaries recognizing that the media is an extension of the fans. Lewis lauded Woods for his consistent engagement with the media, regardless of his performance, and urged the current generation of golfers to follow suit.
Indeed, the recent behavior of some golfers towards the media has stirred up controversy on the PGA Tour. Morikawa is not the first to avoid media interactions. Rory McIlroy did so last year at Pinehurst, where he left abruptly after narrowly losing the US Open to Bryson DeChambeau. Similarly, Morikawa found himself in a comparable position at Bay Hill earlier this month when he lost a three-shot lead to Henley.
While the disappointment that follows such losses is understandable, it’s crucial to remember that interacting with the media is part of the job. Golfers, as public figures, have a responsibility to set a positive example for future generations, much like Woods has done throughout his career.
The golfing legend’s consistent engagement with the media, regardless of the highs and lows of his career, has been commended. It’s a lesson that players like Morikawa could well learn from. As much as Woods deserves accolades for his on-the-field achievements, his off-the-field conduct, particularly with the media, also deserves recognition and emulation.