Major champion labels European Ryder Cup players "bunch of wusses"

Former US Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins expressed little sympathy for the European players over the abuse they are expected to receive. 

The majority of the chatter ahead of next week's matches has revolved around whether or not the New York crowd will overstep the mark. 

European captain Luke Donald has sanctioned the use of virtual reality headsets to replicate the reception they are likely to receive at Bethpage Black. 

The former World No.1 says his entire team will take a "unified approach" if any personal comments come from outside of the ropes. 

But Wadkins believes that, on the whole, the US players always get the same treatment when they make the trip away every two years. 

And it's not talked about, he said. 

The 75-year-old, who was skipper when Bernard Gallacher's men staged a dramatic comeback at Oak Hill in 1995, even labelled the Europeans "a bunch of wusses that can't handle the heat."

He told Golf Channel: "I always find it very interesting that we never say a word about what happens to us when we're playing in Europe.

"I know I've been on the first tee as far back as 1985, I got introduced and had the entire grandstands boo me.

"You showed a picture of a shot I'm chipping in at 18 playing with Payne Stewart as my partner in an alternate shot match and there must be five, six people deep behind the green.

"Everybody's got their arms folded. Nobody applauding my eagle chip going in. They wanted it to miss. 

"So, I mean, we've got the same treatment over there. We just never complained about it.

"Sometimes I think the Europeans are just a bunch of wusses and can't handle the heat."

The European team flew out to Bethpage Black last Sunday, following the conclusion of the BMW PGA Championship.

All 11 players that competed at Wentworth joined Austria's Sepp Straka for a two-day reconnaissance trip.

Straka did not play as his wife recently gave birth to their second child. 

The team got tailored for their uniforms, listened to guest speakers and played 27 holes at the notoriously difficult course.

Donald reporters at the DP World Tour's flagship event that he knows there will be pressure, but believes his team will be able to handle it as they have prepared correctly. 

"I certainly enjoyed playing in an away Ryder Cup," Donald said.

"In a way, you've got a little bit less pressure. The home team is meant to win. So I don't mind that. 

"As long as you're prepared for getting a little bit of stick from the fans, I think that's okay."

The 2025 Ryder Cup takes place over 26-28 September. 

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