Collin Morikawa on unruly Ryder Cup scenes: "That's not on me"

Collin Morikawa says his comment about "bringing chaos" to the 2025 Ryder Cup was taken out of context. 

The 28-year-old told reporters before the United States clashed with Europe at Bethpage Black that the atmosphere during the practice days was "kinda tame". 

Clearly, the American golfer wanted fans in New York to up the ante in a positive way - but unruly scenes followed. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy was the primary target, with Northern Irishman subjected to homophobic slurs and shouts at the top of his backswing.

It didn't help matters that the event's MC, Heather McMahan, was forced apologise and step down from her role after repeating a "f--- you, Rory" chant back to the crowd. 

Legends of American golf Tom Watson and Lanny Wadkins were among those to say they were embarrassed and ashamed by what played out in the galleries. 

The PGA of America's president, Don Rea, has belatedly apologised after he initially declined to acknowledge the level of abuse. 

Morikawa told reporters before the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in Japan that what he said was taken out of context. 

"I think Ryder Cups are meant to have a lot of energy, right, and I think me saying the word 'chaos', I didn't mean for them to be rude, right? 

"So like that's not on me, I believe for me to take credit for people being rude. I think what I meant was like I wanted energy, right? 

"You wanted people to be proud of the country, the countries they're rooting for. So I don't think, you know, me saying one word, everyone listened and then - I don't think I have the power to do that amongst people."

Morikawa, who went 0-2-1 at Bethpage, was paired with Harris English on the first two days of the Ryder Cup. 

In the foursomes, they lost to McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood twice. 

He shared a point with Tyrrell Hatton in the singles which meant Europe won the Ryder Cup. 

Fan behaviour at the Ryder Cup has been a large topic of discussion in recent years. 

During the 2023 matches in Italy, US golfer Patrick Cantlay was on the receiving end of taunts from the European crowd over the fact he wasn't wearing a team hat. 

It was alleged that Cantlay did so as a protest for not being compensated - a claim he has always denied. 

Still, that didn't stop thousands of fans waving their caps at him. 

GolfMagic's Keith Jackson has taken a look at how the scenes at Bethpage compared to other controversial moments in Ryder Cup history. 

Morikawa added: "I think fans can do and say what they want sometimes. It probably crossed a line out there. 

"It wasn't in my groups but definitely what people were hearing. So I would say yeah, there's a line that needs to be drawn, I believe. 

"But I think that's what's so different and unique about golf is that we hear nearly everything what people say because people have access to be so close to us. 

"You look at a lot of other sports, you don't really hear much. Things are said, but golf has that different aspect to it. 

"So I think you have to learn how to find that division of what's appropriate and what's not."

Xander Schauffele also touched on the topic before the FedEx Cup Fall event. 

He said he was subjected to "unsavoury comments" in New York too. 

"Yeah, there were some unsavory things said at certain times," said Schauffele. 

"You know, I really wish we could have played better to have them cheer for us a bit more. New York's a tough place to play for anyone. 

"I even got a few comments to play better. I'm not taking much personally when it comes to sort of what fans say."

Watch Collin Morikawa's comments here: