Collin Morikawa hits back at claims he egged on vile Ryder Cup fans

Collin Morikawa denied that he had any part in encouraging the “rude” heckling by American fans toward European competitors at last month’s Ryder Cup, behavior the Team USA golfer said “crossed the line.”

The 28-year-old Morikawa took some heat for comments made ahead of this year’s international clash at Bethpage Black, stating he hoped for “absolute chaos” because the Americans “want to use that to our advantage” when competing against Europe, the reigning Ryder Cup champs.

Things escalated quickly on Long Island, where members of Team Europe and their families were mercilessly taunted, including Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, who was struck with a beverage on the Farmingdale course.

“I think we’ve taken what I said a little out of context,” Morikawa said Wednesday ahead of the PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama, Japan. “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?”

The two-time major winner explained that he alone doesn’t hold the power to incite spectators.

“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. I think fans can do and say what they want sometimes,” Morikawa said.

“I think fans can do and say what they want sometimes. It probably crossed a line out 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 nearly everything what people say because people have access to be so close to us. I think you have to learn how to find that division of what’s appropriate and what’s not.”

Despite the heightened police presence on the course, the rowdiness spilled over on the second day of the three-day tournament, when a flying beverage connected with Stoll.

PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague, who began the role earlier this year, said he apologized to McIlroy, 36, and his wife, as well as the rest of the European team, after their 15-13 victory over Team USA.

“I’m disappointed in fan behavior, disappointed in the first tee and the emcee [Heather McMahan] that it’s just that’s not who we are, and I was just really, really, really disappointed,” Sprague told The Athletic.

McMahan stepped down from her role as emcee at the Ryder Cup after the comedian was heard joining in on a profane fan chant directed at McIlroy.

McMahan — who said she apologized to the Northern Irishman and the European Ryder Cup team —explained she did not start the “f–k you, Rory” chant, and that she tried to shut it down but couldn’t control the crowd.

The Ryder Cup will head back to Europe for 2027.