Question of the week [March 24-30]: Regarding professional golfers and the media, should players be obligated to speak to reporters during a tournament week? Or does a player's communication via social media suffice?
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I believe an integral step to developing this responsibility for players would be the provision of media training as a component of obtaining their Tour card.
Often, the interviewers are from local, national or international media outlets and can format questions that may or may not encompass the competition, as well as political or deeply personal issues. Frequently, questions are raised regarding an area where the tour pro may not have knowledge of the area or the skill set to address the matter.
By providing training to entering pros, the ability to respond, enlighten, deflect or provide other references could benefit both sides of the conversation. Then, the requirement of addressing the media can be better framed.
Gary Cupit
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Yes they should.
As a matter of fact, there is an entire day set out for the media during tournament week to get lots of information. In order for the golf fan base to learn about the players themselves, the players should be engaging and resourceful, making it more personal rather than hearing something second-hand on a social media source. It would even generate more interest by learning of the enormous number of new faces and names in golf, and potentially spur interest and growth of the game for the fan and the future.
I would prefer that on tournament days (Thursday-Sunday) the media have no place on the golf course during play. They could talk to players before or after any round. There is also the opportunity for players to arrange something off the course, if necessary and willing. The media has a most important part by sharing the stories of all aspects of the game for the better of it.
Erv Hildebrandt
Hamilton, Ontario
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If you play in the field, players should be obligated to speak to the press if requested by the event or event sponsor.
Joe Lyons
Alva, Florida
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The pros do have an obligation to meet with the media and answer questions. However, I feel the media needs to give them at least 15 minutes after they have left the green to sign their scorecards, use the facilities, and generally compose themselves before meeting the mob. "Being on deadline" could be nothing more than an excuse to ask a gotcha question.
Mark Kazich
Darien, Illinois
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Of course they should talk to the media. It's part of their job, their responsibility to the Tour, the fans, the tournament, their sponsors and the charities the events support. Try playing a tournament with no TV, no press, no fans and see how much money in purses that pays.
All professional players in all sports are required and obligated to interact with the fans and the press. If you don't want the attention or want to deal with it, then try playing in a bubble and see how much money that pays. Either learn to deal with the media or become an accountant.
Tom Stine
Ft. Myers, Florida
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If a professional player does not want to make themselves available to the press, that’s their decision. If the press decides to not make any mention of the player, then that’s their decision. It’s a free press.
Mark Chatfield
Houston, Texas
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Social media communication is not good enough. The player controls the narrative in that situation, and any questions concerning conduct or anything to do with negativity will not be laid out. The mainstream media can ask the tough questions, which the player wouldn't address on his or her social media platforms.
Bruce Penton
Medicine Hat, Alberta
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The obvious answer is yes. It's a business and player communication with the media helps promote and grow the business, which in turn drives revenue and larger purses for the players.
In the case of LIV Golf, the players are under contract to the league and as such they may have contractual obligations in regards to speaking with certain members of the media and the league's media partners.
The PGA Tour is different as players are independent contractors and the players are free to manage and promote their brand as they see fit. Collin Morikawa was absolutely right when he said he did not have to speak with the media. Was that the right choice? Probably not as it's not good for the PGA Tour nor his own brand, but that decision was totally up to Collin Morikawa.
With the perfect benefit of hindsight, the right thing to have done was let the media know he was going take a few minutes to calm down and collect his thoughts before he spoke publically. That approach sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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Because of the huge investments made by tournament and broadcast sponsors — and for the good of their charities — I believe the pros should appear in the interview tent when asked, especially at the majors. Maybe even a quick quote outside after a round.
Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Collin Morikawa (The Players)each had to clean up their mess on aisle 4 and it’s not a good look. I don't expect much depth in their on site remarks as most tend to keep their true feelings close to their vest and that kind of cat and mouse can be boring. But relying on players’ social media would be much worse with it’s minor candor and little if any Q & A.
Without access, the golf publications couldn't justify being there on the ground to find those nuggets of texture that the writers so often share.
Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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Social media communication is a personal platform exercised at the discretion of the user. Players should be required to address reporters each week they are playing in the field. Fans get a glimpse of emotion that the player displays while competing and interviews are part of the game they signed up to play. Sometimes the emotion carries with them off the course.
David Wellinghoff
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
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I think “obligated” is a pretty strong word. If a golfer has had a particularly tough day or a “bad beat” I don’t think he should have to rehash the memory with a bunch of silly questions like “How do you feel about what happened on the last two holes?” Seriously?!?!?!? Speaking with the media is part of the job. However, the media needs to stop asking ridiculous questions that have obvious answers. And the pressers before the rounds are not even worth listening to anymore. If reporters want to talk about LIV golf they need to talk to LIV golfers. If the want to know how golfers feel about Rory McIlroy’s new comment about anything—ask Rory. Don’t ask Scottie Scheffler or Jordan Speith.
I think the media has become a necessary evil and it’s sad that we can’t just talk about the course and the game anymore. I have started turning it off when they talk about LIV or pace of play.
Sheri Molyneaux
Salem, Oregon
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Front: Collin Morikawa speaks to media in the flash area during the practice round at the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club.
Photo: Robert Beck | USGA via Golffile