Morikawa says not to blame for ‘rude’ Ryder Cup fans
Collin Morikawa admitted on Wednesday that rowdy American fans crossed a line at the Ryder Cup, but said he was not to blame despite his calls for “absolute chaos”.
The two-time major winner said on the eve of last month’s tournament that he was looking for local fans to turn up the volume and “go crazy” at New York’s Bethpage Black.
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Europe won after three days of fierce competition in which American fans relentlessly bullied European players and, at one point, threw beer at Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica.
Morikawa told reporters in Japan, where he is playing this week’s Baycurrent Classic on the U.S. PGA Tour, that his comments were taken “a little bit out of context.”
“Ryder Cups are supposed to have a lot of energy and I think when I said the word ‘chaos’ I didn’t want them to be rude,” the 28-year-old said.
“It’s not my place, I believe, to take credit for people being rude.”
Morikawa said he “just wanted energy” from American fans.
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“I wanted people to be proud of the country they support,” he said.
“I don’t think I was the one who said a word and everyone listened. I don’t think I have the power to do that.”
McIlroy, who took the brunt of the abuse, called the conduct of American fans at Bethpage Black “unacceptable.”
The Northern Irishman repeatedly clashed verbally with audience members during Saturday’s play, at one point using obscenities while telling them to “shut up”.
– “Unsavory things” –
He also backed up during putts due to crowd noise, prompting tournament officials at one point to place additional security, including police dogs, around the green.
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American golf legend Tom Watson said he was “ashamed” by the behavior of American fans.
Morikawa acknowledged that “it probably crossed the line.”
“It wasn’t in my group but that’s what people were hearing,” he said.
“There is a line to be drawn, I believe.
“I think we have to learn to find that distinction between what is appropriate and what is not,” he added.
Morikawa will face his Ryder Cup teammate Xander Schauffele in Japan.
Schauffele said “unsavory things” were said at Bethpage Black.
“I really wish we could have played better so they would encourage us a little more,” said Schauffele, who won the British Open and PGA Championship last year.
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“New York is a tough place for anyone to play. I even got some feedback to play better.
“I don’t take much personally when it comes to what fans say.”
The Baycurrent Classic is the only Asian competition on the US PGA Tour and was known as the Zozo Championship until a change of sponsor this year.
It also takes place on a new course, the par 71 Yokohama Country Club.
Morikawa and Schauffele will be among the favorites alongside Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, while Swede Alex Noren and Americans Chris Gotterup and Kurt Kitayama will also be in the running.
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