18x Major Champion Jack Nicklaus OPINES on Hotly Debated PGA Tour Topic

Jack Nicklaus shared his thoughts regarding a hot topic while speaking to the reporters in the Memorial Tournament presser.

18x Major Champion Jack Nicklaus OPINES on Hotly Debated PGA Tour Topic

Jack Nicklaus (Image via Imago)

The PGA Tour action this week will return to the Muirfield Village Golf Club for the Memorial Tournament. Ahead of this event, tournament host Jack Nicklaus took part in the traditional pre-tournament press conference. During this, he shared his opinion on a hotly debated PGA Tour topic.

In the past few months, several golfers have skipped speaking to the media after a poor round. Major champions like Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy have declined taking part in post-round interviews and talking to the reporters.

Unlike the other sporting leagues, the PGA Tour stars are not obliged to speak to the media. So, they can skip the interview rounds.

This is something that has become a huge topic of discussion among golf fans. A reporter would ask Nicklaus what he thought about this. The 18-time major champion expressed that he can only speak for himself on this matter and admitted that he would “always” speak with them.

I’m not going to talk for Rory or anybody else. I’ll talk for myself. I’ve always felt that you guys have a job to do, and gals, and for you to do your job you need to talk to me. And whether I played well or whether I played poorly, if you still want to talk to me, I’ll talk to you. And I always have.

Recently, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy came under tremendous heat from the fans regarding this. After his driver was found to be non-conforming, he would skip talking to the media on all 4 days of the PGA Championship.

Jack Nicklaus comments on Rory McIlroy snubbing him and skipping the Memorial Tournament

Ahead of the Memorial Tournament, 5-time major champion Rory McIlroy found himself under severe backlash. The World No.2 not only skipped the event but also snubbed Jack Nicklaus. In the press conference, the Golden Bear commented on this matter.

Rory McIlroy and Jack Nicklaus
Rory McIlroy and Jack Nicklaus (Image via Imago)

McIlroy and Nicklaus do share a good bond. Before the Masters Tournament, the Northern Irish international met the legendary golfer and had some words with him. As a result of this, fans were not pleased with McIlroy, as he did not even try to reach to Nicklaus.

During the presser, the 85-year-old did admit to being “surprised” by this. He though backed McIlroy and expressed that there are several things on the schedule of golfers these days.

Yeah, it surprised me. But, you know, guys have got schedules and got things they do… Sometimes you have to make those calls. I don’t hold anything against Rory for that.

McIlroy was last seen at the PGA Championship. In the second major of the year, the 36-year-old had some troubling times and finished T47 while being 3-over par for the tournament.

Jack Nicklaus left emotional while paying tribute to his wife

Ahead of the 50th edition of the Memorial Tournament, Jack Nicklaus made a major announcement. The World Golf Hall of Famer revealed that his wife, Barbara Nicklaus, would be the honoree at this tournament this year. While paying tribute to her, he would become emotional.

Jack Nicklaus and Barbara Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus and Barbara Nicklaus (Image via Imago)

Nicklaus made this big revelation while speaking with Jim Nantz. The veteran golfer would hold his chest and tried to fight back tears while speaking about his wife and talking about her contributions to this tournament.

Nicklaus tied the knot with Barbara in July 1960. She has been part of his life since then and has received several awards and honors over the years for her support and contributions to golf.

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