Ryder Cup fans’ behavior will ‘shock’ Rory McIlroy after his troubling prediction: director

With the 45th Ryder Cup matches three days away at Bethpage Black, there’s been some pot-stirring taking place projecting bad behavior on the part of the rabid New York fans.

At the top of the list among those doing the stirring has been Europe’s best player, Rory McIlroy, who in a recent interview predicted trouble.

“I think it’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York,’’ McIlroy told Ewan Murray from the Guardian. 

“It might not involve me, but it is inevitable that something will happen, whether like in Rome last time or something else.

“I just think when you go into that environment and you are there for five or six days and the crowd are on you for eight hours, so many days in a row … it is inevitable it will get to someone or get to us as a group at some point.

“We are just going to have to do a really good job of managing that, having each other’s backs and protecting each other.”

In a conversation with The Post, Bryan Karns, the Ryder Cup championship director, poured cold water over McIlroy’s forewarning.

“I sort of welcome the opportunity to hear some of that chatter, knowing that what they’re going to see is going to be quite the opposite,’’ Karns said. “The best thing we can do is go out and just break that narrative. When I hear that [there will be bad behavior], it’s coming from someone that doesn’t understand this market, someone maybe doesn’t appreciate these fans for who they are.

“There’s yahoos at every Ryder Cup, and the fact is we’ll deal with them very quickly — there’s really zero tolerance. I think sports fans in New York self-police very well. It’s maybe the most underrated part about this city in my opinion.’’

Karns estimated that some 50,000 to 55,000 fans will be at the matches from Thursday-Sunday.

He declined to reveal the number of N.Y. State Police that will be deployed for the week, saying, “We’re asked not to share that publicly, but to give any indication of what the comprehensive security plan is, this is obviously a big task for New York State Police and it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.’’

Karns, who’s a native of Oklahoma, has immersed himself in New York and its sports scene while living here for three years and building this Ryder Cup. He’s attended Yankees and Mets games, gone to the Garden to see the Knicks and Rangers, been to MetLife for Giants and Jets games. Along the way, he’s made observations.

“I think New York sports fans are incredibly smart,’’ Karns said. “I think what’s going to shock people is that it’s going to be less about anything directed at the other team and more about cheering on their own team.’’

Complicating logistical matters is President Trump having announced that he plans to come to the Friday session, which has potential to thwart entrance for the general public, particularly if he comes to the morning session, which begins with first balls in the air at 7:10.

Trump’s attendance at the U.S. Open tennis final last month delayed the match because fans had issues getting into the facility because of heightened security.

Though Karns wouldn’t confirm or deny, there are indications that the PGA of America has recommended to Trump’s Secret Service detail that attending in the afternoon Friday would be better logistically.

“We’re still finalizing all that,’’ Karns said. “I think [Trump] more than anything wants to ensure that the disruption is minimal and that he doesn’t do anything to detract from the event.’’

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said he’s “deeply honored’’ that Trump plans to attend.

“When you’re representing your country at a place like Bethpage Black in New York, having the president there to support you is something that is just absolutely incredible,’’ Bradley said.

“Anytime a sitting president wants to come to an event, it just shows how big the Ryder Cup is,’’ European captain Luke Donald said. “You’ve got to see that as a mark of respect. He knows a lot of the players.’’

Among those players is Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player.

“I get a call or text from him sometimes after wins,’’ Scheffler said Tuesday. “The president is kind of funny. He loves the game of golf. He’s one of those guys when you’re around him he does such a good job of feeding confidence into everybody around him. I don’t think he has any plans to address us as a team, but I’m sure if things go well [for the U.S. team], we’ll hear from him this week.’’