Rory McIlroy and Team Europe are leaving nothing to chance ahead of this month’s Ryder Cup in New York and that includes strapping on VR headsets to get a taste of the abuse that’s likely coming their way.
Many of team Europe were in action at Wentworth on Sunday for the BMW PGA Championship, but their eyes are firmly on Bethpage Black and the small matter of trying to win a first away Ryder Cup since 2012.
McIlroy tied for 20th for the weekend with a score of -12. Speaking to reporters at Wentworth after his final round, McIlroy revealed that European captain Luke Donald had arranged for players to use VR headsets to replicate the atmosphere they will face in New York.
“It is to simulate the sights and sounds,” McIlroy said.
The Masters champion wouldn’t reveal exactly what kind of messages were pumped through the virtual crowd. “Not for publication” was his line but admitted he gave the green light for it to get nasty.
I told them ‘go as far as you want’. You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. You can go as close to the bone as you like. That’s the stuff that we are going to have to deal with. It’s better to try to desensitise yourself as much as possible before you get in there.”
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McIlroy, fresh off a career-defining season that saw him complete the career grand slam with victory at Augusta, knows just how brutal an American crowd can be. Europe were given a rough reception at Whistling Straits in 2021, so much so that Xander Schauffele’s father Stefan has decided he won’t even be attending this time, branding the atmosphere “unwatchable.”
Luke Donald’s side will take a three-day scouting trip to Bethpage next week to get a feel for the course and, no doubt, brace themselves for the noise.
“We are doing everything we can to best prepare ourselves for what it is going to feel like,” McIlroy said. “But nothing can really prepare you until you’re actually in it. 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.”
The 36-year-old added that it cuts both ways. “No matter if you’re an American team going to Europe or you’re a European team going to America, it’s the same. You know you’re going to be up against not just a great team but the crowd as well. That brings its challenges.”
Bethpage, though, might not be as hostile as Whistling Straits. “New York is definitely more of a cosmopolitan city, more of a melting pot and more backgrounds and people identify as part European. We should get a little more support but at the same time, you’re going to America with an American crowd.”
Europe will be hoping that bit of extra support can help them do what hasn’t been done in over a decade, silence the home fans and bring the Ryder Cup back across the Atlantic.
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