Collin Morikawa Analyzes Team USA’s 2025 Ryder Cup Defeat

Collin Morikawa has openly discussed the factors contributing to Team USA’s disappointing performance at the 2025 Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage Black in September. The two-time major champion faced significant scrutiny prior to the event, with doubts surrounding his selection and performance. Ultimately, Morikawa believes that a combination of bad luck and poor execution led to the team’s defeat.

In a recent appearance on Dan Rapaport’s Dan on Golf Show, Morikawa reflected on the challenges faced by Team USA during the tournament. The team struggled early on, and despite a valiant effort on the final day, they could not recover from a substantial deficit. He noted, “First two days, we didn’t get that momentum, we didn’t get the few putts that we needed to drop.”

Dissecting the Performance

Morikawa’s pairing with Harris English in the Friday and Saturday foursomes was one of the decisions that drew scrutiny. Critics argued that sending out a duo that was struggling did not benefit the team. As Morikawa indicated, “It was almost better to play out of the rough, because there wasn’t any rough.” The conditions at Bethpage Black posed difficulties, particularly in controlling spin out of the fairways.

Moreover, the 29-year-old golfer addressed the perception that European players might care more about the Ryder Cup than their American counterparts. “I think our group of guys that have played over the last, at least my three Ryder Cups, like, we care,” he stated, dismissing the narrative that has circulated in the past.

While acknowledging that mistakes were made, Morikawa emphasized that the team simply did not perform well enough. He stated, “Put all the excuses aside, like, simply, we just didn’t play well. It happens; that’s golf.”

The Role of Fan Behavior

The conversation also touched on the behavior of American fans during the tournament. Morikawa suggested that the atmosphere created by the crowd may have had an adverse effect on Team USA. He explained, “It puts everyone in an uncomfortable position because…in golf, we’re this close. Literally.”

He underscored the importance of respect in sports and noted that the energy directed towards the European team could have fueled their performance. “I think the fans might have poked the bear a little bit too hard,” he said, suggesting that a more supportive environment, similar to that seen at Hazeltine in 2016 and Whistling Straits in 2021, would be more beneficial for the home team.

Morikawa concluded with a call for fans to focus their energy on supporting Team USA rather than resorting to negative behavior towards their opponents. As the golfing world looks ahead to future competitions, the insights from Morikawa serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in high-stakes tournaments like the Ryder Cup.