Passions ran high at the Ryder Cup in Bethpage, New York — but Collin Morikawa insists he wasn’t the spark that lit the fire. While openly acknowledging that some American fans crossed the line with their behavior, he firmly rejects any suggestion that his own words encouraged it.
Just two days before play began, the two-time major champion drew attention when he said he hoped the opening day would be “absolute chaos.” That single phrase quickly became a talking point. Once the competition got underway, Europe’s players were met with hostile taunts from the crowd, and in one ugly incident, Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica was reportedly hit by a thrown beer. The backlash prompted PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague to publicly apologize to McIlroy and the European team.
Morikawa, who finished with two losses and one halved match over the weekend, says the criticism toward him is misplaced. “I think people took what I said a little out of context,” he explained. “The Ryder Cup is meant to be full of energy. When I used the word ‘chaos,’ I wasn’t talking about disrespect or rude behavior. That’s not me, and it’s not something I would encourage.” He added that fans’ decisions are ultimately their own: “One word from me doesn’t control thousands of people. Sometimes they’ll push things too far, and I agree — there’s a boundary that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Morikawa also touched on the uniquely intimate atmosphere of golf, noting how players hear nearly every comment because spectators are so close. This proximity, he says, makes it essential to separate what’s acceptable from what’s not. “It’s part of the sport’s charm and challenge, but we have to draw clear lines,” he said.
Speaking just ahead of the PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama — a tournament he famously won in 2023 — Morikawa’s focus has now shifted to the weather. Players are bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Halong, which has already forced Thursday’s tee times to be moved up by two hours. “Tomorrow will be all about adjusting,” he explained. “You’ve got to be ready to hit any club off the tee because the course will play completely differently from what we’ve seen earlier this week.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: should athletes be held accountable for crowd behavior if their words are interpreted aggressively, even if that’s not their intent? Was Morikawa simply misunderstood, or did his call for ‘chaos’ inevitably invite charged emotions from the stands? What do you think — is it fair to link his comment to the crowd’s excesses, or is this a case of overblown blame?
