Europe Uses VR Headsets to Prepare for Hostile Crowd at 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage
Captain Luke Donald employs virtual reality to desensitise European golfers against abuse ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, aiming to tackle the intense home crowd.
2025 Ryder CupDate: 26–28 SeptemberVenue: Bethpage Black, New YorkCoverage: Live updates on INLIBER Sport
VR Training to Handle Hostile Crowds
Europe’s captain Luke Donald has introduced virtual reality headsets simulating abusive crowd noise to prepare his team for the intense atmosphere they expect at Bethpage Black, New York.
“It is to simulate the sights and sounds,” said Rory McIlroy. “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 added that players can customise the messages to be as abusive as needed. “You can go as close to the bone as you like,” he said.
Facing the 'Bear Pit'
Donald hopes the VR sessions will ready his squad for the “bear pit” atmosphere at Bethpage, aiming to follow in the footsteps of past successful captains on US soil. McIlroy described winning an away Ryder Cup as one of the toughest challenges in golf.
“We are doing everything we can to best prepare ourselves for what it is going to feel like,” he said. “But once the first tee comes on Friday it’s real and we just have to deal with whatever’s given.”
Europe’s team flies to New York on Sunday, with two days of practice ahead of the competition on Long Island.
Europe’s players will use VR to acclimatize to hostile crowds, aiming to neutralize noise and mental pressure before the first tee.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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