Collin Morikawa Admits Ryder Cup Fans “Crossed The Line” After Europe’s Historic Win

The 2025 Ryder Cup may have been historic for Europe, but it also left behind headlines that had nothing to do with golf swings or putts. Instead, the spotlight has shifted to the behavior of American fans, which Collin Morikawa admits “probably crossed the line.”

Europe Claim First Ryder Cup Victory On U.S. Soil Since 2012

Played in the intense atmosphere of New York, the Ryder Cup ended in a 15-13 victory for Europe, marking their first win on American soil in over a decade. But what should have been remembered purely as a sporting triumph was marred by crowd behavior that many described as hostile.

Rory McIlroy became the biggest target of the jeers, with heckling so disruptive that he had to back out of a putt mid-game. In one shocking moment, his wife Erica was struck by a drinks cup thrown from the stands—an incident that highlighted just how far some fans went.

McIlroy didn’t hold back, labeling the behavior “unacceptable,” and his frustration boiled over when he swore at a heckler during play.

Morikawa: “Energy Doesn’t Mean Abuse”

Collin Morikawa, who had earlier urged fans to bring “absolute chaos” to the Ryder Cup, has since clarified that his words weren’t meant to encourage disrespect.

“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 to take credit for people being rude,” Morikawa explained.

While he acknowledged that energy is part of what makes the Ryder Cup special, he admitted there’s a line between passionate support and personal abuse.

Teammates And Legends Weigh In

Morikawa’s teammate Xander Schauffele also admitted that “unsavoury things” were said on the course, though he added with a touch of honesty: “I even got a few comments to play better.”

American golf legend Tom Watson, who has captained the U.S. team in the past, went further by saying he was “ashamed” of the behavior he witnessed. Meanwhile, PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague has promised to apologize directly to McIlroy and the European team.

The Sports Market Perspective

In the broader sports market, crowd behavior is becoming as big a talking point as the games themselves. Passion and rivalry are vital to sport, but when the line between energy and abuse is crossed, it threatens the integrity of the competition. The Ryder Cup is built on tradition, respect, and elite performance—and fans must play their part in protecting that legacy.

Final Whistle

For Europe, this Ryder Cup will be remembered as a hard-fought victory on hostile ground. For America, it’s a wake-up call about fan culture. Collin Morikawa’s honesty shows that even the players know change is needed.

At Sports Market International, we believe moments like these prove why we’re the best sport blog in the sports market—because it’s not just about the scores, but the stories and lessons that come with them.