The American golfer who urged Ryder Cup fans to ‘create absolute chaos’ has admitted the raucous New York crowd went too far during the highly charged contest at Bethpage Black.
Europe’s dramatic 15-13 victory last month came despite relentless verbal abuse from the home supporters, much of it directed at Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll.
In the build-up to the tournament, 28-year-old Collin Morikawa called on fans to ‘create absolute chaos’. They duly obliged.
McIlroy was subjected to vile taunts about his personal life throughout the event, while his wife was seen in tears after a drink was thrown from the crowd.
Two-time major winner Morikawa has now conceded: ‘There’s a line that needs to be drawn. We have to learn how to find that division of what’s appropriate and what’s not.
‘Ryder Cups are meant to have a lot of energy and me saying the word “chaos”, I didn’t mean for them to be rude. That’s not on me, I believe, to take credit for people being rude.’
Morikawa’s team-mate Xander Schauffele also acknowledged that ‘unsavoury things’ were said during the fractious weekend.
‘I really wish we could have played better to have them cheer for us a bit more,’ the 31-year-old said.
‘New York’s a tough place to play for anyone. I even got a few comments to play better.’
McIlroy was seen confronting fans on several occasions as tensions escalated, but ultimately had the last laugh after securing Europe’s first away Ryder Cup win since 2012.
PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague, overseeing his first Ryder Cup in the role, told The Athletic: ‘I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future.
‘I’m the CEO now. I don’t condone this type of behaviour. This is not good for the game of golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.’
