Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup team-mates handed state-of-the-art technology to help them prepare for US abuse

EUROPE’S Ryder Cup stars have been handed Virtual Reality headsets to prepare them for the abuse they can expect in New York next week.

And Rory McIlroy asked for his one to be turned up to the maximum level of verbal harassment, knowing he is likely to be the main target for the Bethpage Black boo boys.

PARory McIlroy and the rest of Team Europe have been using VR headsets to prepare themselves for the atmosphere at the Ryder Cup[/caption]

Sunday TimesTeam Europe are expecting a hostile reception from the US fans at Bethpage Black[/caption]

McIlroy revealed that European captain Luke Donald handed out the VR sets after hosting a dinner for his players, their caddies, and the wives and partners before last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The world No 2 explained: “We have been wearing them to simulate the sights and sounds and noise of the crowds.

“That’s the stuff 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.

“The stuff you hear is individually-tailored. You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. You can go as close to the bone as you like.

“They asked me: ’How far do you want this to go?’ And I said go as far as you want. You don’t want to know what gets said. It’s certainly not for publication.”

McIlroy has had a few run-ins with American crowds.

He confronted a fan during the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine who said something derogatory about his girlfriend at the time, Caroline Wozniacki, and had the culprit ejected.

And he snatched a phone off a fan who heckled him at the Players Championship earlier this year, and later handed it to a member of the security staff.

https://x.com/NUCLRGOLFMcIlroy snatched a phone from a heckling spectator at the Players Championship earlier this year[/caption]

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McIlroy added “I think that was on me to not react the way that I did. I understand that you have to do a better job of putting the blinkers on and not seeing and hearing everything out there.

“The comments weren’t great, but I shouldn’t have reacted. I’m trying to develop a thick skin. Hopefully, the VR will help.”

At least the Yanks will not be able to give McIlroy stick about the state of his game.

After three frustrating days at Wentworth he closed with a seven under par 65, which included five birdies and two eagles.

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