Ryder Cup: Sir Nick Faldo makes prediction about lairy New York crowd

Sir Nick Faldo says ticket prices for next week's Ryder Cup matches in New York might prevent unruly spectators descending upon Bethpage Black. 

The biennial contest is only days away, with Luke Donald's Europe clashing with Keegan Bradley's United States over 26-28 September. 

Unsurprisingly, the biennial event is a complete sell-out, with more than 500,000 entering the gates over the three days of action. 

There has been plenty of discussion as to what reception the European team will receive as they embark upon their quest to win a first away Ryder Cup since 2012.

Faldo, who was subjected to plenty of taunts during his Ryder Cup career, told Sliced the European team are not going to be taken by surprise at all. 

Rory McIlroy revealed last week their preparation has resulted in the players using virtual reality headsets to replicate the abuse they are expecting. 

"This one could get a little more personal," he told the pod. "I don't think we had anything personal [in our day]. Just a little bit over the years. 

"But again, this is not going to be a surprise. It's not going to be, oh my goodness, somebody shouted something. 

"They've just got to know what their game plan is and how they're going to deal with it. That's the most important thing.

"Something will be said at the wrong time, that sort of thing.

"Hopefully it's... If somebody's giving you abuse, well, you've got to have your own personal way of looking at them and laughing, feeling sorry for them, that sort of thing. 

"Or if it gets very serious, I'm sure there's going to be a, whatever they call it, a protocol to have them removed or whatever. It gets way over the top. We don't know."

Faldo added: "You know, the fact is they [tickets] cost 750 bucks. So to go and have a day at the golf course is going to cost you 1,000 bucks by the time you've got there and fed yourself. 

"So that might eliminate a few if somebody wants to go and be an a---."

Faldo believes each caddie will also be crucial in dealing with any taunts. 

"You're always working together," he said. 

"If you're up in your match, you couldn't care less what somebody says. 

"It's when you've just gone from one to two down and they start beating on you, then it's sure that's not as easy. 

"So it's the mental strength of certain situations that you're going to have to know how to deal with."

Faldo reckons Europe have better strength in depth

The United States are heavy favourites to win back the Ryder Cup. 

No side has won in hostile territory since Jose Maria Olazabal oversaw Europe's miracle victory at Medinah in 2012. 

Faldo, 68, believes Donald's dozen have great strength in depth. 

That wasn't always the case, he said. 

"Everybody always talked about the depth of the American team, didn't they?" Faldo said.  

"They always had at least 10 really good players out of the 12. We've taken time but we've turned that around. We've got the great depth now, haven't we?

"Eleven of the guys were there in Rome and even Rasmus [Hojgaard] was there as well, which is something I did. 

"Let some of the future players come and feel the heat, feel the atmosphere, the whole intensity of it. I think we've got the depth this time.

"At the end of the day, after all the analysing, the team that actually makes more birdies will end up winning. It's as simple as that. 

"You've just got to go and play great. Playing great will take care of it. Making birdies, winning holes will take care of everything. Absolutely."