European Ryder Cup captain Rory McIlroy has disclosed that his team members have received Virtual Reality headsets personalized with verbal abuse to brace themselves for rowdy American fans at the upcoming tournament. The team, led by Luke Donald, is set to travel to New York after the BMW PGA for a two-day training session at Bethpage Black.
In anticipation of the intense atmosphere, especially with President Donald Trump slated to attend the opening day, McIlroy distributed the VR headsets to his squad during a recent team dinner. The headsets aim to simulate the sights, sounds, and noise that the players will face, allowing them to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead.
McIlroy mentioned that the level of abuse in the VR experience is customizable, with players able to select how intense they want it to be. The purpose is to toughen the team mentally and emotionally before encountering the actual crowd dynamics at the tournament.
Reflecting on a past incident where he had to deal with fan abuse, McIlroy acknowledged the importance of maintaining composure and not reacting impulsively to provocative comments. Despite the challenging environment expected at the Ryder Cup, he remains focused on his performance and aims to stay composed amidst any distractions.
As he concluded his final round before the Ryder Cup, McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his improved performance and highlighted the significance of playing well in different crowd atmospheres. He looks forward to the upcoming tournament and is determined to deliver a strong showing for Team Europe.