Luke Donald’s introduction of a VR headset to the European Ryder Cup team stirred quite a bit of conversation. However, for some players, it seemed more like a novel distraction than a serious training tool.
Rasmus Højgaard mentioned he gave it a try, describing it as a “fun little gimmick.” He appreciated the visuals, especially the moment the headset showcased the first tee, saying it was entertaining.
Justin Rose, the more seasoned player, noted he hadn’t used the headset for more than five minutes but found the concept intriguing.
Rory McIlroy recalled that during the BMW Championship, Donald had gifted items to European players following a team meeting.
Rose elaborated on the interest in the VR experience, highlighting how it depicted the layout and atmosphere of Bethpage Black, particularly as they prepare for what could be a rowdy crowd.
Interestingly, Rose also mentioned the headset provided a fun way to share the experience with family members who couldn’t attend the tournament. “It was really cool from that perspective,” he said.
The primary purpose of the headset was to prepare the players for the anticipated noisy environment at Bethpage State Park during the upcoming Team USA vs. Team Europe matchup.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, fans were allowed onto the grounds at the iconic course, with Rudig Åberg commenting on hearing cheers from the crowd during practice.
Højgaard described the audience as “great” and noted that Team Europe is getting solid support.
“So far, it’s been great,” he added. “We know there will be challenging situations out there, but we’ve prepared well. It’s definitely been a strong start.”
Meanwhile, American golfer Colin Morikawa characterized the crowd as “tamed,” urging US fans to ramp up the excitement for the Ryder Cup.
