PGA: Talk about Georgia voter rights controversy, not ‘whether we’re here or not’ says Morikawa

Reigning PGA Championship winner says golf world is not ‘blocking it out’ but focus should be on voter rights rather than golf events

PGA Tour says hosting events in Georgia ‘should not be construed as indifference to the current national conversation around voting rights’

Reading Time:3 minutes

Collin Morikawa on the 15th tee box during a practice round at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Photo: EPA

Published: 1:24pm, 6 Apr 2021Updated: 1:25pm, 6 Apr 2021

Collin Morikawa said on Monday a sporting boycott of Georgia is not the answer to controversy over new voting laws as the state prepares to host this week’s 85th Masters at Augusta.

Georgia has found itself in the crosshairs over recently adopted legislation that critics say is designed to suppress turnout among black voters.

Last Friday, Major League Baseball confirmed it had stripped Atlanta of this year’s All-Star Game in response to the furore over the new laws, a move that earned plaudits from across US sport.

Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship winner, said he would prefer to focus on a discussion about the legislation itself rather than the question of moving events out of Georgia.

Collin Morikawa putts at the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Photo: AFP

“This voter stuff and voters for American citizens is very important,” Morikawa said. “I think that’s the topic we should all be talking about. We shouldn’t be talking about whether we’re here or not,” the 24-year-old American added.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x