Virginia Water, England – Whatever hecling European players might face at the Ryder Cup in New York might be what they’ve already heard, all thanks to a virtual reality headset that Rory McIlroy says can be adjusted to hear the harshest violence.
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has said his European team will be ready for the noise at Bethpage Black, a public course with a reputation for having some of the most youthful and sometimes obnoxious golf fans.
McIlroy told reporters after the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday that Donald handed the players VR gear Tuesday night after a team meeting. It allows players to visualize the course while adjusting to outside noise and insults.
“It’s just to simulate the sights, sounds and noise,” McIlroy said. “That’s the little things we’re going to have to deal with. So it’s better to try to sensitize yourself as much as possible before you go in there. You can make them say whatever you want them to say.
“So you can go as close to the bone as you want.”
Europe had 11 players at Wentworth and led New York to practice at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka was home with a newborn last week and is expected to join them.
Straka is among five European players who have never competed at Bethpage Black.
Europe last won the Ryder Cup on US soil in 2012 at Medinah, requiring a stunning comeback led by Ian Powler.
“We’re doing everything we can to prepare ourselves for what it’s going to feel like on Friday week,” McIlroy said. “But nothing can really prepare you until you’re actually there. You can wear all the VR headsets you want and do all the different things we’ve tried to do to prepare, but when the first tee comes on Friday, it’s real and we just have to deal with whatever it’s given.”
Europe can at least count on more support than its last road Ryder Cup. That was in 2021 at Whistling Straits, with global travel restrictions from COVID-19 still in place. There were hardly any European fans on the American route.
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