Collin Morikawa admitted that the behavior of American supporters at the Ryder Cup had “exceeded the limits”, but does not think that it is partly responsible for inflammation of the atmosphere.
Two days before the start of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, the major double winner said that he hoped that the opening day would be “absolute chaos”.
For three days, European players were victims of insults in the stands, in particular frequent insults and sarcastic comments, taunts while the players were preparing to shoot and going so far as to see a beer launched towards the wife of Rory McILroy, Erica. This behavior was widely criticized, the CEO of the PGA of America, Derek Sprague, apologizing to McILroy and the rest of the European team.
Morikawa said on Wednesday that fans had gone too far but denied all responsibility in their contribution.
“I think we took what I said a bit out of its context,” said Morikawa. “I think that the Ryder Cups are supposed to have a lot of energy, is it not, and I think that when I said the word” chaos “, I didn’t want them to be rude, is it? So, it is not mine, I believe, to attribute the merit of the fact that people are rude. I think what I meant, it was like I want energy, isn’t it?”
The PGA of America added additional security around the matches while tensions increased during the three days of the Ryder Cup, which the European team won after resisting a charge of the Americans on the last day in the matches in single.
Morikawa was expressed before the PGA Tour Bower Classic – which he won in 2023 – in Yokohama, Japan. He said he did not believe he had the power to encourage American fans by “saying a single word”.
“I think fans can sometimes do and say what they want,” he said. “It has probably crossed a line, so I would say that there is a line that must be traced. But what is so different and unique in golf is that we hear almost everything that people say because people have access to being so close to us. I think you have to learn to find this division between what is appropriate and what is not.”
PA contributed to this report.
