Summary
VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — For European players, the boos they could face at the Ryder Cup In New York, these will be nothing new, thanks to virtual reality headsets that Rory McIlroy says can simulate the harshest insults. Team Europe captain Luke Donald said his team will be ready for the commotion at Bethpage Black, a public course known for its loud and sometimes disruptive fans. McIlroy told reporters after the BMW PGA Championship that Donald provided them with the VR headset on Tuesday night after a team meeting. The technology allows them to visualize the course while adjusting for noise and insults from the crowd.
“It’s just to simulate the sights, sounds, and noise,” McIlroy explained. “That’s what we’ll have to deal with. So it’s best to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before going in there. You can make them say whatever you want. You can get as close as you want.”
At Wentworth, Europe had 11 players heading to New York to practice at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka, who was home with a newborn last week, is expected to join the team. Straka is among the five European players who have never competed at Bethpage Black.
Key details
The last time Europe won the Ryder Cup on American soil was in 2012 at Medinah, where they staged a stunning comeback led by Ian Poulter. “We’re doing everything we can to prepare for what it’s going to feel like on Friday next week,” McIlroy said. “But nothing can really prepare you until you’re there. You can use all the VR headsets you want and do all the different things we’ve been trying to get ready, but once the first tee comes on Friday, it’s real, and we just have to deal with whatever comes.”
At least Europe will be able to count on more support than at its last Ryder Cup away from home, which took place in 2021 at Whistling Straits, where COVID-19 travel restrictions were still in place and almost no European fans were present during the defeat.
