Morikawa’s Thoughts on Fan Behavior at the Ryder Cup
Collin Morikawa has expressed his opinion on the behavior of American fans during the recent Ryder Cup, acknowledging that some actions “crossed the line.” However, the golfer does not feel responsible for having influenced the atmosphere. Two days before the start of the tournament at Bethpage Black, New York, Morikawa, a two-time major winner, had expressed his wish that the first day be “absolute chaos”. During the three days of competition, the European players were subjected to insults and offensive comments from the public, including booing while they were preparing to make their shots, and even the throwing of beer towards Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica. The behavior of the fans was widely criticized, with PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague offering apologies to McIlroy and the European team.Morikawa spoke in the preview of the Baycurrent Classic of the PGA Tour, which he won in 2023, in Yokohama, Japan. The golfer stated that he does not believe he has the power to incite American fans simply “by saying a word”. The PGA of America reinforced security during the matches as tensions rose throughout the three days of the Ryder Cup, which the European Team won after withstanding the final onslaught of the Americans in the singles matches. Morikawa added:I think we took a little bit of context out of what I said. Ryder Cups are made to have a lot of energy, right? And I think by saying the word “chaos”, I didn’t mean they were rude, right? So that’s not up to me, I think, to be attributed to being rude. I think what I meant was that I wanted energy, right?
Collin Morikawa
I think fans can do and say whatever they want sometimes. A line was probably crossed there, so I would say there is a line that needs to be drawn. But what is so different and unique about golf is that we hear almost everything people say because they have access to be so close to us. I think you have to learn to find that division between what is appropriate and what is not.
Collin Morikawa
