Justin Rose is relishing the opportunity to play a Ryder Cup in front of a New York crowd and believes resilience will be key for Team Europe to succeed at Bethpage Black.
Rose will make his seventh Ryder Cup appearance for Team Europe in the biennial contest, live from September 26-28 on Sky Sports, where Luke Donald’s side will look to regain the trophy and claim a first away success since 2012.
Much has been made of the predicted atmosphere from New York’s famed sports fans, with Rose ready to embrace the challenging environment ahead.
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“I think we’ve been talking about the Ryder Cup in Bethpage probably for 10 years, the anticipation of it, what it’s going to be like, how intense it’s going to be,” Rose said in a Q+A ahead of the Rose Ladies Open earlier this month.
“New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves. I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there.
“But I’m also not sure that that’s necessarily bad either. There comes a point where it just becomes noise, the more there is, potentially, I’m hoping it fades into just chaos and noise, which actually might be easier than one or two very, very distracting targeted noises.
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“So, we’ll see, but I’m expecting that too. I really don’t know, my point is I actually don’t know what to expect, but I think we have to make a mental commitment.
“I’m not going in unprepared by saying I don’t know what to expect. I’m going in saying, ‘I don’t know what to expect, but I’m willing to commit to not rising to anything, not taking the bait, willing to just accept and absorb and let things roll off your back’. You need that resilience.
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Speaking after his final round at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Jon Rahm explains the use of virtual reality headsets by Team Europe in preparation for a hostile crowd at Bethpage in the Ryder Cup
“I think that’s what we’re accepting, that you’re going to need resilience that week, 100 per cent. But who knows what it’s actually going to be like in person. It’s going to be wild.”
Rose praises European team spirit
Team Europe has 11 of the 12-man side from their 2023 success in Rome, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing twin brother Nicolai as the only change, with Donald keeping four of his vice-captains from that victory.
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Rory McIlroy ‘loves’ the team Luke Donald has assembled for the Ryder Cup and believes Team Europe ‘have a wonderful opportunity’ at Bethpage Black
Six of the United States team have played in at least two previous Ryder Cups, with their captain Keegan Bradley describing his side earlier this month as “the closest team I’ve ever seen”.
“I think the US team have definitely bonded a lot more in recent years, and I think that they do have pockets of good friendships,” Rose added.
“But I think the Americans have gotten a little bit… they think being a great team is about being best mates. I really don’t think that’s what being a great team is.
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Keegan Bradley has insisted he ‘doesn’t care’ about how Team Europe are preparing for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, New York
“Being a great team is having a kind of a real good theme and having an identity that has come from players before you, and you all buy into that vision.
“You don’t have to be having the greatest time in the world to do that. Although, inevitably, we do have a great time doing that. I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic, and I think it comes from deeper roots in a way.”
What’s next?
There will be extended live coverage from every day of Ryder Cup week, starting on Monday September 22, where Team Europe look to regain the trophy with a historic away win in the United States.
Round-the-clock coverage of the opening day’s play will begin with live build-up from 9am on Friday September 26, ahead of full coverage from midday. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
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