Rory McIlroy has revealed that Europe’s Ryder Cup team are using virtual reality headsets to prepare for the noise and abuse they will face at Bethpage Black in New York
Whatever taunts European players might encounter at the Ryder Cup in New York could be familiar territory, thanks to virtual reality headsets that Rory McIlroy says can be programmed to deliver the most brutal verbal abuse.
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has indicated his European squad will be ready for the cacophony at Bethpage Black, the municipal course notorious for hosting some of golf’s most boisterous and occasionally offensive spectators.
McIlroy revealed to media following Sunday’s BMW PGA Championship that Donald distributed the VR gear on Tuesday evening after a team meeting. The technology enables players to experience the course layout while fine-tuning the volume – and verbal attacks – from beyond the gallery ropes. It comes as Bryson DeChambeau showed his true colors after being banned from Ryder Cup warm-up.
“It is just to simulate the sights and sounds and noise,” McIlroy said. “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.”
Europe had 11 players at Wentworth bound for New York to practice at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka remained at home with a new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 last week and is anticipated to rejoin them.
Straka ranks among five European competitors who have never played at Bethpage Black.
Europe’s last Ryder Cup triumph on American turf came in 2012 at Medinah, requiring a remarkable rally spearheaded 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 said.
“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.”
Europe can at least rely on greater backing than during its previous away Ryder Cup. That occurred in 2021 at Whistling Straits, with global travel limitations from COVID-19 still in effect.
There were barely any European supporters present during an American demolition.
