Tour News
Rory supports Marshawn Lynch’s interview tactics
Well, that was awkward. If you’ve seen a Marshawn Lynch interview before, however, you’re not surprised — he openly dislikes the media.
Lynch is the starting running back for the defending NFL Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Carolina Panthers 31-17 on Saturday to advance to the NFC Championship.
While Lynch is a key component to the Seahawks’ success, he hasn’t been quite as successful dealing with scribes. He was fined $100K earlier this season for his unwillingness to cooperate with the media in post-game interviews, often answering questions with one-word answers like “yeah,” or “maybe.”
What does this have to do with golf? Rory McIlroy Tweeted his support of Lynch’s media tactics on Sunday.
Love this! Paid to play not answer questions “@SportsCenter: Marshawn Lynch after every question in his postgame interview, “I’m thankful.”
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) January 11, 2015
Expectedly, the statement sparked a conversation about the relationship between sports stars and the media. At the frontline of the Twitter war was Matt Cleary, contributor to The Guardian, Australia’s Inside Golf, and other outlets.
Luckily for golf fans, Rory has always been open with the media, which is why it’s weird he took this stance on the athlete-media dynamic. It’s just another case of Rory’s affinity of commenting on hot topics — and his willingness to be honest.
Thank goodness our sport has more McIlroys than Marshawns.
On a side note: Can I get Matt Cleary’s “Quid pro quo bro” made into a t-shirt or something?
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Ballstrikaaa
Jan 18, 2015 at 8:31 pm
@ dan. My friend, please invest in writing, spelling, thought crafting and self expression courses asap!!
Don
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:56 am
It’s the post-game interviews he seems to despise most. Before and during the games he is much more in the moment. After the games he’s probably just tired and wants to go home, and all these twits are asking him stupid questions about what we all just saw. It’s not like he doesn’t enjoy talking about his sport, or discussing the latest game, he just doesn’t want to talk right then. Go watch his pre-Superbowl discussion with PrimeTime… he was just fine, because Sanders is a fellow player not looking for anything other than to talk about the Superbowl and the sport.
And here’s a hint for the two-bit reporters that get sent to the locker rooms after games… he’s never going to give you a real interview, ever, regardless of the measly fines they throw at him, so stop trying… you’re just making yourself look stupid by continuously asking pointless, irrelevant questions.
Personally, I think it’s awesome that he’s sticking to his guns in spite of other overpaid millionaires trying to force him to bend to their wishes. It’s not a “quid pro quo bro” situation either, sports will happen with or without sports reporters, but sports reporters do not have a job without the sport. And don’t confuse reporters with coverage of a sporting event, not the same thing at all.
Mccance79
Jan 14, 2015 at 12:15 am
Answering questions is part of being a professional… Rory comfortable? I am seeing a pretty big ego from his comments. I hope we are not getting another Tiger Woods with Rory
marcel
Jan 14, 2015 at 8:10 pm
and you have nailed it. Marshawn has to do it even if he does not want to = arrogant. Rory is happy to do interviews = arrogant. well if you have an opportunity to talk to media on global basis you can judge… can you judge?
Golfraven
Jan 13, 2015 at 4:53 am
At least Rory wasn’t a total j… when twitting back. Other players (we all know them) are not as polite. Credit to the #1
dan
Jan 13, 2015 at 4:52 am
Rory love your golf but like the guy to know you by the media look smart and gentyl for me it is important to here wath you think by th media .RORY sometime it is you know waht i mean nike $$$$$$$ and the money you make wen you win it is becaus of the fans!!!!!!! AND ((((TIGER)))) KEEP the good relation you and the fan
Me Nunya
Jan 14, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Dudewhat…?
J
Jan 12, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Marshawn Lynch is contractually obligated to speak to the Media. You signed on the line, you live up to the deal or you GTFO of professional sports. Second, the NFL, like the PGA ( Which is beyond BS ) is a Non-Profit Business, the largest retail based business on the planet is non-profit. It receives subsidies, it receives preferential treatment but the FCC and the IRS. It receives billions of dollars from tax payers to build stadiums and pay salaries, football has become such an institution you should see the benefits packages of COLLEGE coaches. Most of whim are State employees therefore it is us again paying. So the fact is Marshawn Lynch… Rory…. Every other Athlete who’s existent, who’s EXTRAVAGANT existence is funded and subsidized by THE FANS of your sport… If you can’t look at your Ferarri and think you might just owe ALL the people who runs your lifestyle 5 minutes of honesty and attention.., you don’t deserve any of it and should be ashamed.
Deez
Jan 12, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Some of Y’all touched on it already but these guys don’t have any profound perspective to mention. Their play speaks for itself. Yeah we might not know some of the technicalities of the sport but similarly to this article, I don’t give a hoot about what Rory thinks about an athlete in a polar opposite sport or what Marshawn has to say. That’s crap that he gets fined. Just my opinion.
Sean
Jan 12, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Admittedly the press can ask some incredibly obtuse questions. I don’t blame Mr. Lynch at all.
marcel
Jan 12, 2015 at 5:08 pm
$100k for answering “yeah” “maybe” – thats kinda punishment your ex-wife can do! is the judge a lady?!?!!?
WarrenPeace
Jan 12, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Honestly- I don’t think Marshawn has anything to say that is worth knowing about. He doesn’t seem all that intelligent to me. He runs away from pursuers holding a football….what does he have to say? “I got caught or I got away?” Either way we saw it live with 100 replays from every angle so the truth is its more fun to watch him trying to avoid the media than anything he has to mumble about. BORING-
RG
Jan 12, 2015 at 2:06 pm
After game/round interviews are always the same anyhow, as seen in Bull Durham. Marshawn is just tired of the stupidity and how writers take a comment and put it out of context. I mean Tiger talks, but he just has 100 ways of saying the same thing. “My swing feels good, I just couldn’t get the putts to fall, I just gotta play’em 1 at a time and just stay focused.” Its totally ridiculous.
Knobbywood
Jan 12, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Because they are asking him the same questions… Totally ridiculous I know
me
Jan 12, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Guess what, my employment agreement (in a corporate office) doesn’t require me to talk to anyone either. But I’m pretty sure if I refused to talk to people I’d be fired. Grow up and offer your 2 cents to the people who watch you play. No need to act like a child..Just lost some respect for Rory for supporting this idiot.
Jim
Jan 12, 2015 at 3:31 pm
I like Rory now!!,And would love to have Marshawn on the Detroit Lions to go along with Suh.Then have continued battles against the NFL/Goodelle.Goodelle made $44 million last year,The Occupy movement should protest Goodelle\Nfl
blink3665
Jan 12, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Kudos to Lynch and Rory. I pay to watch them play on the field. I don’t pay to hear what they say when someone jams a microphone in their face in the locker room. I disagree with what Mr. Cleary said about the players speaking to the fans through the media. That’s what social media is. That is the players speaking directly to the fans… without a third party (ahem… media). I like to read and hear the analysis of games by professionals. I don’t need a quote by Marshawn saying, “The OLine did a great job blocking for me today.” to enhance that. Now if Marshawn wanted to say, “Kuechly was really plugging the A gap well today, and their 5 technique was pulling some nasty stunts. So we blah blah blah….”. THAT would add to an interview… but again, that’s what analysts are for.
bradford
Jan 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm
I’d prefer more play coverage than the cookie cutter interviews:
“Just gonna take it shot-by-shot and hope that’s good enough to come out on top”
— can only be rephrased so many ways.
Mlecuni
Jan 12, 2015 at 12:30 pm
If the quality of the interviews were better and less oriented to the no sport part of their life, maybe some players would answer more easily.
It’s the same with on course coverage, some channels have very low grade professional analysts. I wish to ear more sport journalists and less social bloggers.
Shallowface
Jan 12, 2015 at 11:05 am
As a paying customer, all I care about is that the player gives his full effort on the field. He doesn’t owe me anything beyond that.
The media can whine about this all they want, but they have brought this on themselves.
If Lynch wants to come off looking a little better, he could take a lesson from Tiger. Tiger is the master at giving answers that sound polite but have no content whatsoever.
Dennis
Jan 12, 2015 at 10:52 am
Go Marshawn,
Not a Seahawks fan, but respect that he doesn’t want to talk to the media.
I think he should adopt a WWE personna and just say “Oh yeah!!!” and “Can you smell whats cooking?” quotes. Dont forget to thank Jesus too.
Robeli
Jan 12, 2015 at 10:52 am
The purpose of all those locker room interviews, is to get the scoop, gossip and slip of the tongues from players that will give a reporter his 5 minutes of fame. If you want really want to get to know the player, sit down with a one-on-one interview.
NFR
Jan 12, 2015 at 10:46 am
I love sports, but honestly could care less about the post game interviews. All they are looking for is sound bites that will get them clicks on their webpage or ratings on their news shows. And actually, could care less about what athletes think about any given topic. Sports “news” is the worst… might as well be tabloid news.
And the “sports need media for fans” argument is a silly one. I can watch the game/tourny just fine without reading the articles before and after.
Joseph Dreitler
Jan 12, 2015 at 11:11 am
Amen. agree totally. The so-called media has too much time and space to fill and ratings to get, so they ask questions, often baiting, that have no bearing on anything with the hope that the athlete will say something stupid, they can put it online and the athlete goes in the dunking booth.
I really don’t care what they have to say, the event speaks for itself. How many times can you hear “how did you feel out there today”. GAG.
TheCityGame
Jan 12, 2015 at 11:35 am
The only people who care about it are the media.
Unfortunately, like I said, they’re the only ones who write about it, so it seems like the general public are upset about this.
Look in the comment section of any article on this topic. It’s just like this one. Fans 10-1 don’t care about this.
The media does because if they don’t get a quote from a guy, they think to themselves, “oh, I’m just a schmuck writing about sports. Anyone can do that.”
But, if they get a quote, now they have ACCESS. Their opinion of the game is more important than yours or mine because they have ACCESS. They’re able to get more INSIGHT than we could get at home.
That’s what really bothers the media. Now, they’re just like the rest of us. They try to make it about “these players make money because of what we do.” Sure.
TheCityGame
Jan 12, 2015 at 10:00 am
This ongoing story about Marshawn Lynch will never get fair treatment because the people who do 100% of the reporting are the people getting shafted by Lynch.
This idea that they’re all making money because of the media is specious, at best. The MEDIA is going to put football games and Golf tournaments on TV because THE MEDIA makes money from that.
The media NEED the games.
The media WANT access to the athletes. They want to believe that inserting “after the game so-and-so said such-and-such” to their articles adds to fans enjoyment. It doesn’t. Maybe twice a year during football season will someone say, “did you hear what Coach X said after the game?”
The televising of games isn’t going away if athletes stop talking to the press. The reporters just aren’t going to be able to continue to crap out their plug-and-play stories.
Sure, I’m glad that Rory and others will talk to the press sometimes, but they shouldn’t be REQUIRED to, and that’s all Rory was saying.
Nothing of interest ever comes out of those interviews and the media acts like thee interviews are the lifeblood of golf coverage. Please. Get over yourselves.
Let’s hear someone ask a question about DJ’s drug use. Let’s hear someone ask a question about Tiger’s time off because of his “back”. I hear more interesting golf discussions after Tuesday night twilight league than I do from these stiffs in a year.
rippey
Jan 12, 2015 at 10:58 pm
+1 … just canned answers
James
Jan 12, 2015 at 9:56 am
If that t-shirt is made, just add at least 1 to that order for me.
Kevin
Jan 12, 2015 at 9:41 am
For the amount of money these guys take in, I would do a lot of things I didn’t want to in order to be in that position. One being speak to the media. I like Rory, but this reminds me of his “toothache” withdraw situation. These people should be more greatful. We all have to do things we don’t want to do because of work. These people play games for a living. Dealing with media obligations is part of the job description.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 12, 2015 at 11:07 am
Yep, when Marshawn signed his contract it said, “Will talk to the media”. Now, I’m cool with him and his agent getting a contract that says the opposite. It’s about the action, boss.