European players at the Ryder Cup in New York might find themselves on familiar ground, thanks to virtual reality headsets that Rory McIlroy says can be programmed to deliver the harshest verbal abuse.
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has hinted that his European team will be prepared for the noise at Bethpage Black, a public course notorious for hosting some of golf’s loudest and occasionally offensive spectators.
McIlroy disclosed to the press after Sunday’s BMW PGA Championship that Donald handed out the VR gear on Tuesday evening following a team meeting. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has been accused of blowing a decision on the Ryder Cup captaincy.
The technology allows players to familiarize themselves with the course layout while adjusting the volume – and verbal assaults – from beyond the gallery ropes. This comes as Bryson DeChambeau revealed his true colors after being banned from Ryder Cup warm-up.
“It is just to simulate the sights and sounds and noise,” McIlroy stated. “That’s the stuff that we are going to have to deal with.
“So it’s better to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before you get in there. You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. So you can go as close to the bone as you like.”
Eleven players from Europe were at Wentworth heading to New York to practice at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka stayed at home with a newborn last week and is expected to rejoin them.
Straka is among five European competitors who have never played at Bethpage Black. Europe’s last victory on American soil in the Ryder Cup was back in 2012 at Medinah, thanks to a stunning rally led by Ian Poulter.
“We are doing everything we can to best prepare ourselves for what it is going to feel like on Friday week,” McIlroy stated.
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“But nothing can really prepare you until you’re actually in that. You can wear all the VR headsets you want and do all the different things we’ve been trying to do to get ourselves ready but once the first tee comes on Friday it’s real and we just have to deal with whatever’s given.”
At least Europe can count on more support than during its previous away Ryder Cup. That took place in 2021 at Whistling Straits, when global travel restrictions due to COVID-19 were still in place. There were hardly any European fans present during an American rout.
