Team Europe are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to win a first away Ryder Cup since 2012 even using virtual reality headsets to prepare for the noise and abuse expected from American fans at Bethpage Black later this month.
New York sports crowds are famous for being loud, passionate and often unforgiving. Captain Luke Donald has introduced VR sessions to simulate the atmosphere his players will face, complete with heckling from the stands.
“It’s to simulate the sights and sounds,” said Rory McIlroy, who spoke at Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship. “That’s the stuff we are going to have to deal with. It’s better to desensitise yourself as much as possible before you get in there.”
McIlroy wouldn’t give away what kind of messages were played through the headsets, but admitted he told coaches to push it. “You can get them to say whatever you want. Go as close to the bone as you like,” he said.
Bethpage, just outside New York City, is expected to create one of the most hostile environments Europe have ever faced. Donald, chasing a rare away victory as captain, wants his players to be ready for what McIlroy has called “one of the hardest things to achieve in golf.”
“We’re doing everything we can to prepare ourselves,” McIlroy explained. “But nothing is real until you step onto that first tee on Friday. The VR helps, but when it starts, you just have to deal with whatever comes.”
Still, McIlroy suggested the build-up may be worse than reality: “We might get there and think, this isn’t as bad as we thought.” He pointed out that New York’s cosmopolitan feel could mean some fans back the Europeans. “But at the end of the day, you’re still in America, with an American crowd.”
The 45th Ryder Cup runs from 26–28 September, with Europe flying to New York this week for two days of practice at Bethpage Black. Europe arrive as defending champions after a convincing 16½ – 11½ win in Rome in 2023.
But away victories have been rare this century Europe have only managed it twice, in 2004 and 2012. Donald and his team know they’ll need every advantage they can find, on and off the course, if they are to silence the New York crowd.
