VIRGINIA WATER, England — No matter heckling European gamers may face on the Ryder Cup in New York could possibly be what they have already got heard earlier than, all due to digital actuality headsets that Rory McIlroy says could be adjusted to listen to the harshest abuse.
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has stated his European crew will probably be ready for the noise at Bethpage Black, the general public course with the repute for having among the many rowdiest and at instances obnoxious golf followers.
McIlroy informed reporters after the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday that Donald handed gamers the VR tools on Tuesday evening after a crew gathering. It permits gamers to visualise the course whereas adjusting the noise — and insults — from exterior the ropes.
“It’s simply to simulate the sights and sounds and noise,” McIlroy stated. “That is the stuff that we’re going to must take care of. So it is higher to attempt to de-sensitize your self as a lot as potential earlier than you get in there. You may get them to say no matter you need them to say.
“So you’ll be able to go as near the bone as you want.”
Europe had 11 gamers at Wentworth and was headed for New York for follow at Bethpage Black. Sepp Straka was house with a new child final week and is anticipated to affix them.
Straka is amongst 5 European gamers who’ve by no means competed at Bethpage Black.
Europe final gained the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil in 2012 at Medinah, and that required a shocking comeback led by Ian Poulter.
“We’re doing all the pieces we will to finest put together ourselves for what it’s going to really feel like on Friday week,” McIlroy stated. “However nothing can actually put together you till you are really in that. You’ll be able to put on all of the VR headsets you need and do all of the various things we have been attempting to do to get ourselves prepared however as soon as the primary tee comes on Friday it is actual and we simply must take care of no matter’s given.”
Europe can at the very least depend on extra help than its final street Ryder Cup. That was in 2021 at Whistling Straits, with worldwide journey restrictions from COVID-19 nonetheless in place. There have been hardly any European followers in any respect in an American rout.