Rory McIlroy has revealed that Europe have been using virtual reality headsets ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black to try and replicate the abuse that they will receive from the US fans.
Pádraig Harrington hyped up his own nerves ahead of hitting the opening tee shot at July’s Open Championship to try and desensitise himself from reality and it seems like Luke Donald and his European charges have tapped into that line of thinking.
Team Europe used the VR headsets at Tuesday’s team gathering to acclimatise themselves for what they will face in New York.
McIlroy told the Guardian: “You don’t want to know. Not for publication,” when asked what was played on the headsets.
Players were asked how much abuse they were prepared to listen to and McIlroy said: “Go as far as you want.”
He explained: “It is just to simulate the sights and sounds and noise. That’s the stuff that we are going to have to deal with.
“So it’s better to try to desensitise yourself as much as possible before you get in there.
“You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. So you can go as close to the bone as you like.”
On the course, McIlroy eagled the last to close with a sublime final round of 65 at the BMW PGA Championship for a twelve-under total.
There were too many mistakes at Wentworth for the Irish Open winner’s liking but he feels he built on last week’s victory well with plenty of birdies.
He is firmly in Ryder Cup mode with Team Europe set to hit Bethpage Black for a practice day on Monday.
“I think we definitely are getting into Ryder Cup mode. We had a really good team dinner on Tuesday night with the caddies, and the wives and the partners were there, as well. We’re getting ready to go on this practise trip tonight to New York.
“Yeah, it’s sort of — there’s been a lot of talk and a lot of chat and a lot of thinking about the Ryder Cup. But you still want to play well this week. I saw glimpse of that. There was a lot of birdies and eagles and just a few too many bogeys and double-bogeys to have a chance to win but overall, happy with the week and obviously very excited for what’s to come in a couple weeks’ time.”
Meanwhile, Tom McKibbin close off his week in style with a final round of 66 for a fourteen-under total and eleventh place.
McKibbin is set to climb into 56th on the Race to Dubai with the top-70 earning progression to the playoffs in November.
Shane Lowry closed with a round of 71 for an eight-under total to share 46th place.
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