Lexi Passes On TV Interview, Gets Backing From Peer

Just finished watching three hours of Golf Channel coverage of the LPGA Mediheal. Biggest question: How would Lexi respond to that devastating USWO finish?

Well, she shot 71. Currently T-15. She declined a Golf Channel interview.

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) June 11, 2021

Lexi Thompson is T15 after two rounds at Lake Merced, not quite a week removed from losing the U.S. Women’s Open at nearby Olympic Club.

Given that Golf Channel’s LPGA Tour coverage teeters on sycophantic at times, it’s pretty amazing to pass on a post-round interview that is also a fine chance to display some logos. But as feared with the recent Naomi Osaka situation, coupled with some anti-media sentiment in golf, it seems we are likely to see more players pass on these generally inane chats. And even when they don’t pass, episodes like this put interviewers on notice to bring plenty of massage oil to future post-round therapy sessions.

Here is one defense of Thompson’s decision, with a wide range of replies.

Given her pretty ON POINT interview post her final round of US open…this take is unfair and unnecessary and people wonder why athletes are starting to decline media requests. It’s a new week, she’s clearly moved on and so should the media. https://t.co/EMOi58o2a5

— Marina Alex (@Marina_Deee) June 11, 2021

MorningRead.com’s Mike Purkey challenged players, agents and some broadcasters making these situations worse than they (A) need to be (B) actually are in the grand scheme of life.

Thompson’s agent did her no favors by calling a halt to the media interviews after only two questions after the final round. If he thought he was protecting her, he’s wrong. What’s more, it’s not his job or his jurisdiction in that situation. Thompson, who is 26, might not have been required to face the media, but she does have an obligation as a professional athlete. This was her 15th U.S. Open, and she has been answering reporters’ questions all that time.

If Thompson wants another example, she only has to turn to Greg Norman, who infamously lost a six-stroke lead in the final round of the 1996 Masters. It was by far the most devastating day of Norman’s career.

Yet, he sat in the interview room in the media center at Augusta National, where every seat was taken and journalists were standing in the back and seated in the aisles and in the front. He answered every single question until no more were left to ask.