Europe brace for hostile crowd in Ryder Cup defense at Bethpage

FARMINGDALE, New York :Defending champions Europe face the ultimate Ryder Cup road test this week at Bethpage Black where dealing with a raucous New York crowd may prove as crucial as sinking putts in their clash with the United States.

A vocal and partisan crowd expected to include U.S. President Donald Trump will be out in full force when the three-day, match-play competition at one of the nation's most renowned public golf courses begins on Friday on Long Island.

In a bid to prepare for the challenge that passionate U.S. fans could present, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gave his players virtual reality headsets with programmed crowd abuse that simulates the hostile atmosphere expected.

"That's the stuff that we are going to have to deal with. So it's better to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before you get in there," Rory McIlroy, the most experienced Ryder Cup player on either team, said.

"You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. So you can go as close to the bone as you like."

Europe arrive as champions after their 2023 triumph in Rome, bringing back 11 of those 12 players with only newcomer Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his twin brother Nicolai in a battle-tested lineup.

The Danish rookie earned the sixth and final automatic qualifying spot alongside McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton. Donald used his six captain's picks on Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka.

"Although the team itself is similar to Rome, I have approached this captaincy from a very different angle," said Donald. "A different challenge requires different thinking and strategies."

There is an undeniable home-course advantage at play