Collin Morikawa commented on the behavior of American fans at the Ryder Cup, acknowledging that “they crossed the line.” However, the golfer does not feel responsible for inflaming the situation. Prior to the start of the competition at Bethpage Black, New York, the two-time major champion had expressed his desire for the first day to be “absolute chaos”. During the three days of the Ryder Cup, the European players were subjected to insults and hostile comments from the spectators, including boos while they were preparing to execute their shots. A notable incident was the throwing of beer in the direction of Erica, Rory McIlroy’s wife. This behavior was widely criticized, and the CEO of the PGA of America, Derek Sprague, offered apologies to McIlroy and the European team.
Morikawa, speaking on Wednesday, stated that the fans went too far, but denied any responsibility in the matter. The PGA of America reinforced security as tension mounted during the three days of the Ryder Cup, which the European team ultimately won after withstanding a final charge from the Americans in the singles matches. Morikawa made these statements before the PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic, a tournament he won in 2023, in Yokohama, Japan. The golfer argued that he didn’t have the power to incite American fans with “a single word”. Morikawa added:I think we took my words a little out of context. I think Ryder Cups are meant to have a lot of energy, right? And I think when I said the word “chaos”, I didn’t mean they were rude, right? So, that’s not my fault, I think, that I’m being attributed to people’s rudeness. I think what I meant was that I wanted energy, right?
Collin Morikawa
I think fans can sometimes do and say what they want. A line was probably crossed there, so I would say there’s a line that needs to be drawn. But what’s so different and unique about golf is that we hear almost everything people say because they have access to being so close to us. I think you have to learn to find that division between what’s appropriate and what’s not.
Collin Morikawa
