‘That’s not on me’ – Team USA star dodges responsibility for ‘create absolute chaos’ demand at Ryder Cup

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Collin Morikawa insists he did not want the American fans ‘to be rude’ at the Ryder Cup despite telling them pre-event to make ‘absolute chaos’.Europe’s brilliant Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black has been somewhat overshadowed by the brutal abuse aimed at the visiting team throughout the week in New York.Morikawa insists he isn’t responsible for what happened at BethpageGettyRory McIlroy was subjected to homophobic taunts, his wife Erica had a drink thrown at her while Shane Lowry and Robert MacInyre both received constant jibes about their weight.A host of videos and stories have emerged showing the USA fans insulting the Europeans which McIlroy labelled ‘unacceptable’.Prior to the blockbuster event, much was said about how the New York crowds would behave.And after a light-hearted start to the week, two-time major winner Morikawa called on the home crowds to be more raucous.  On the eve of the opening tee shots, he said: “I’ll be honest, I think it’s kind of tame so far. I hope Friday is just absolute chaos. I’m all for it. “I think it feeds into who we are, as American players and the American team. We want it. We want to use that to our advantage.”Morikawa has now backtracked on those comments, insisting his words were misconstrued and he shouldn’t hold any responsibility for how the fans acted. Ahead of this week’s Baycurrent Classic in Japan, Morikawa said: “I think we’ve taken what I said a little out of context.“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?McIlroy and Lowry overcame a tough week to help Europe winGetty“You wanted people to be proud of the country, the countries they’re rooting for. So I don’t think me saying one word, everyone listened and then – I don’t think I have the power to do that amongst people.”He added: “I think fans can do and say what they want sometimes. “It probably crossed a line out there. It wasn’t in my groups but definitely what people were hearing.“Yeah, there’s a line that needs to be drawn, I believe. But I think that’s 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.“You look at a lot of other sports, you don’t really hear much. Things are said, but golf has that different aspect to it. So I think you have to learn how to find that division of what’s appropriate and what’s not.” Morikawa had a Ryder Cup to forget after losing both of his foursomes matches in an ill-fated pairing with Harris English.Morikawa and English were statistically the worst duo that Keegan Bradley could have put out and they duly lost 5&4 to McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood on Friday morning.Bradley decided to stick with the pair but they lost to McIlroy and Fleetwood again on Saturday 3&2.Morikawa had a Ryder Cup to forgetGettyMorikawa then failed to beat Tyrrell Hatton in their Sunday singles match and that half point clinched victory for Europe.Xander Schauffele, meanwhile, was one of the few bright sparks for Team USA at Bethpage, winning three of his four matches.Schauffele, who is also playing in the Baycurrent Classic on the PGA Tour this week, was asked about the unsavoury scenes in New York.“I really wish we could have played better to have them cheer for us a bit more,” he said.“New York’s a tough place to play for anyone.“I even got a few comments to play better. I’m not taking much personally when it comes to sort of what fans say.”