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USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Collin Morikawa dust-up is just the latest in history of spicy moments to Rocket Classic
DETROIT — Drama. Who doesn't love it? Come to the Rocket Classic, and there's a good chance you'll catch some highly charged moments, because at this tournament, golf and drama go together like Detroit and coney dogs. Over seven years of the PGA Tour event at Detroit Golf Club, we've had some spicy moments that would make a catfight on 'The Real Housewives' seem like a classy tea party. In 2020, on an empty course during the coronavirus pandemic, Bryson DeChambeau lost it on a TV cameraman who dared to do his job by shooting his poor bunker shot and subsequent outburst. The next year, Phil Mickelson went after the Detroit News for publishing an article about a decades-old $500,000 gambling bet a bookie had cheated him out of. He promised never to return. Fans took it out on all the media with signs and chants of protest. This week, we got our latest dramatic installment of 'As the Rocket Turns,' courtesy of the highest-ranked player in the field: Collin Morikawa. The world's No. 5 golfer took umbrage Wednesday, June 25, with how he came off in a Golfweek article that day about his split with caddie Joe Greiner. Morikawa thought his quote about not wanting to be approached during his Pro-Am round made him look bad. It's a confusing issue complicated by history between the reporter and Morikawa. I won't name the reporter, but I've known him for years. He is excellent at his job and was totally within his rights to approach Morikawa, who preferred to speak during his scheduled availability a few hours later. The reporter published the scoop and included Morikawa, saying 'Ask me anything you want in my press conference later. I'm with my pro-am partners now.' Here's a little basic Journalism 101, if you care to know. The reporter had a big scoop he wanted Morikawa to confirm. Waiting 2½ hours to ask the question — in an open news conference — would nullify the scoop he worked hard to get. I wouldn't expect Morikawa to fully understand this journalistic nuance. But the drama ensued when the reporter asked Morikawa during the availability who his future caddie would be. Morikawa then unloaded his frustration in a tense back-and-forth with the reporter. 'Look, I'm not here to tell people how to do their jobs,' he said, 'but I don't get why you would make me sound bad because you put out my quote that I was playing with pro-am partners out front.' The reporter defended his article by saying he thought it made Morikawa look good by focusing on his pro-am partners. I agree, but Morikawa clearly didn't. 'OK, we can all read it very differently,' he said. 'That's not how I read it. I don't know how — I'm just telling you, like, I think there's a perspective where people can read it like that.' Morikawa and the reporter kept their cool. It never got ugly. But after the news conference, the argument — which I caught a few moments of as I walked past — got more heated outside the media center. Morikawa struggled with his new putter in the first round on Thursday, June 26. He shot a frustrating 3-under-par 69 that left him seven shots behind co-leaders Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter. PGA Tour players are not required to speak with reporters, but Morikawa agreed to my request. I was mildly surprised, considering the drama that had played out a day earlier. But more than that, I was impressed with Morikawa. Because, unlike so many other pro golfers, who basically come in nuanced flavors of vanilla, he was willing to defend himself in a public forum. So I asked why he felt it was important to stand up for himself in such a public manner. 'Well, because I think everyone should, and that's a trait that you should learn how to do,' he said. '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 (this reporter). It hasn't happened between anyone else. A lot of other reporters, media, I respect everyone.' Morikawa was roundly criticized in March for not speaking with reporters after he finished second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, so it's understandable that he's sensitive to media relations issues. 'This whole idea that I don't (talk to reporters),' he said, 'I mean, I've looked up how many times I've finished second, it's not once. … '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.' No matter where you stand on this issue, or even on Morikawa himself, you have to give him credit for being authentic and still being willing to talk. With nearly 1 million followers on his social-media channels, he could decide he doesn't need the media and just take to X for a rant. I hope he never does that, because golf needs more players like Morikawa — golfers not only among the best in the world but also willing to speak their minds, even if it can be tense, a little combative and not necessarily aligned with their carefully curated images. I'm glad he is who he is. I'm glad he's here. I'm also very glad he's brought some color and, yes, even a little drama to the Rocket once again. Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@ and follow him on X @cmonarrez.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
JJ Spaun Shares Dodgers Star Who Reached Out amid U.S. Open Win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The popularity of golf among celebrities is booming more than ever, as evidenced not only by Pro-Am events. Celebrities swing clubs whenever they have the opportunity, but they also follow professional events with the same enthusiasm as any other fan. Another example of this was the numerous calls and messages from celebrities that JJ Spaun received after winning the U.S. Open. During his pre-Travelers Championship press conference, Spaun revealed some of the stars who reached out to congratulate him on his victory at Oakmont: "I heard from George Lopez, comedian and actor from Los Angeles; [Los Angeles Dodgers star] Mookie Betts, who was actually my Pro-Am partner at Pebble Beach; [renowned sportscaster] Scott Van Pelt; a lot of people." "I'm still like halfway through my messages. [1988 and 1989 US Open winner] Curtis Strange, [1974, 1979 and 1990 US Open winner] Hale Irwin, just some great champions that have been there and know what it's like, people that I have never even talked to, but it was great." J. J. Spaun of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. J. J. Spaun of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, also shared some details about the days after his win at Oakmont, which turned out to be quite a rollercoaster: "We were off to New York City. Had a nice dinner with my family on Monday night. We went to do all the media 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning." "It was literally nonstop. Didn't finish until 3:30, 4:00, hopped in a car, got driven up here. That was about 3 1/2 hours. Didn't walk through the front door of the hotel until 8:00 p.m." JJ Spaun won the U.S. Open with a score of 1-under, becoming the only player in the field to finish with a 72-hole score of par or better. His final-round performance was spectacular, as he birdied the final two holes to take a lead that proved to be definitive. To top it off, he sank a 64-foot putt on the 18th hole to secure his victory. With this victory, Spaun became the first PGA Tour Americas alum to win the US Open. The victory propelled him to the eighth spot in the world rankings and to the third spot in the rankings to make the Ryder Cup team. More Golf: Paige Spiranac Has Hilarious Request of New PGA Tour CEO
San Francisco Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
No name change at Pebble Beach: AT&T renews sponsorship of Pro-Am
The onetime Crosby Clambake will not change its name again anytime soon. AT&T extended its four-decade sponsorship of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, it was announced Wednesday morning. The multiyear agreement keeps the telecommunications company as the longest-running continuous title sponsor of a PGA Tour event. Rory McIlroy won this year's tournament in February, pulling away in the final round. McIlroy secured his first victory at Pebble and became the first player in 20 years, since Phil Mickelson, to reach 27 career wins on tour. Next year's Pro-Am runs Feb. 12-15 at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. McIlroy won the 40th edition of the AT&T, which started sponsoring the event in 1986. It previously was known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am; Crosby founded the tournament in 1937, at Rancho Santa Fe GC in San Diego County. The tour designated the Pro-Am as a 'signature event' the past two years, increasing the prize money and strengthening the professional field. The AT&T will remain as a signature event in 2026. The move dramatically reduced the celebrity presence, with fewer amateurs competing. They now play only on Thursday and Friday, not through the weekend.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
No apology coming: Peyton Manning breaks silence on Donald Trump photo, says he won't apologize for being respectful
Peyton Manning addresses Trump photo uproar, says he was just being polite (Imagn Images) Peyton Manning has never been one to get dragged into political drama, and he isn't starting now. A recently resurfaced photo of the legendary quarterback alongside Donald Trump Jr. has reignited chatter on social media, but Manning seems completely unbothered by the noise. Peyton Manning refuses to backtrack on Trump photo, calls it a gesture of respect The image in question—originally taken in 2016—shows the Hall of Famer casually posing with Trump Jr. during what appeared to be a non-political event. It gained traction again recently, amassing over 5,000 likes on X (formerly Twitter), with users weighing in amid an increasingly polarized political climate. Despite the attention, Manning has made it clear he's not offering any apology or explanation. A source close to him revealed his response: 'I've taken thousands of photos with people over the years. I'm not in the business of explaining every one of them.' For someone who's kept his political leanings mostly private throughout his post-NFL life, his response is true to form. Although Manning has rarely spoken publicly about his politics, campaign finance records do suggest a longstanding support for the Republican Party. According to the Federal Election Commission, the former Colts and Broncos quarterback has donated $17,900 to GOP candidates since 2004. His contributions include $7,300 to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign and $2,700 to Jeb Bush's 2016 primary challenge against Donald Trump. Still, unlike other high-profile athletes who have publicly distanced themselves from the Trump family or GOP politics, Manning has maintained a neutral public posture. His approach has always been to avoid the outrage cycles that dominate today's media ecosystem. Instead, Manning has channeled his post-football energy into building an impressive media career. He runs Omaha Productions, the company behind ESPN's popular Manningcast broadcast, which he co-hosts with brother Eli Manning. Beyond sports commentary, he's delving into scripted entertainment, working on a 'Chad Powers' series with actor Glen Powell. While the political world continues to shift, Manning remains rooted in the things he knows best—football, family, and storytelling. His consistency and calm demeanor have helped him navigate both athletic fame and celebrity status without getting tangled in controversy. Even as the 2016 photo recirculates, the two-time Super Bowl champion isn't blinking. His career speaks for itself: from rewriting NFL records to redefining sports media, Peyton Manning has nothing to prove. As one of football's most respected figures, his silence on the matter isn't a dodge—it's a decision to let his legacy speak louder than politics. Also Read: Watch: When Tom Brady made Josh Allen's dad smile big at a Pro-Am golf event— and it's still a fan-favorite clip
Irish Examiner
04-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
'Pissed off' Rory McIlroy opens up on driver leak, weird PGA and post-Masters struggles
RORY McIlroy has hit out at how news of his driver failing a compliancy test at last month's PGA Championship was 'leaked', admitting he was 'pissed off' over how the situation was handled. Making his first appearance in front of a microphone for three weeks, McIlroy opened up ahead of this week's RBC Canadian Open in Toronto. At the PGA Championship in Charlotte last month he had refused to speak to the media for four straight days as a controversy around the testing of players' clubs rumbled. On Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he was aware world No.1 Scottie Scheffler had also had his driver deemed inadmissible after an on-site conformance test at Quail Hollow by the USGA. However when the news initially broke it was McIlroy who was the only player identified in negative headlines. 'The driver stuff, I was a little pissed off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it,' said McIlroy. 'I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because there's a lot of people [involved]. I'm trying to protect Scottie. I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time. "With Scottie's stuff, that's not my information to share. I felt that process is supposed to be kept confidential, and it wasn't for whatever reason. That's why I was pretty annoyed at that.' At a Quail Hollow course which was always a happy hunting ground, McIlroy saw Scheffler win while he laboured to a tie for 47th, his first major after completing the career grand slam at Augusta ending up a peculiar spectacle. McIlroy admitted the tournament didn't go according to plan as he tried to explain why he'd activated mute mode. 'The PGA was a bit of a weird week. I didn't play well. I didn't play well the first day, so I wanted to go practice, so that was fine. Second day we finished late. I wanted to go back and see Poppy before she went to bed. The driver news broke. I didn't really want to speak on that,' he said. 'Saturday I was supposed to tee off at 8.20 in the morning. I didn't tee off until almost 2pm in the afternoon, another late finish, was just tired, wanted to go home. Then Sunday, I just wanted to get on the plane and go back to Florida.' McIlroy spent Wednesday morning's Pro-Am here playing alongside former European Tour chief Keith Pelley, now the CEO of a group which owns the NBA's Toronto Raptors, NHL's Maple Leafs and MLS outfit Toronto FC. In his previous role Pelley played a significant part in the merger talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, an affair which McIlroy threw himself front and centre of. But he insisted taking a step back at May's PGA Championship had nothing to do with the feeling of being burned by his PGA-LIV advocacy. "No, not at all,' he replied. 'I've skipped my fair share of media requests over the years, so it's not as if…it was nothing to do with that. It was just some days you don't feel like talking.' McIlroy, a two-time champion here in Canada, skipped the past two weeks of action on the PGA Tour, traveling with caddie Harry Diamond to watch Manchester United's Europa League Final loss to Tottenham and then surprisingly missing last week's Memorial in Ohio. After finally reaching the promised land at the Masters in such dramatic circumstances in April, the 36-year-old admitted there's been an adjustment period as new career and life goals wait to be set. 'I don't know if I'm chasing anything. I would certainly say that the last few weeks I've had a couple weeks off, and going and grinding on the range for three or four hours every day is maybe a little tougher than it used to be,' he said. 'You have this event in your life that you've worked towards and it happens, sometimes it's hard to find the motivation to get back on the horse and go again. I think the last two weeks have been good for me just as a reset, just to sort of figure out where I'm at in my own head, what I want to do, where I want to play. 'I thought it was a good time to reset some goals. I've had a pretty good first half of the season, and I want to have a good second half of the season now, too.' This week at TPC Toronto he's hoping Canada's national open provides more of the same for him. It's not just the victories here in 2019 and 2022 that have served McIlroy well, the event has proven a consistent springboard to his challenges at the US Open, with the next edition just a week away at Oakmont. 'I love that it's the week leading into the U.S. Open,' he said. 'I told this story a little bit, but before playing in this event, 2016, 2017, 2018, I missed three cuts in a row at the U.S. Open, and since playing the Canadian Open the week before, I've had six top 10s in a row. So there's something to that.'
