Europe will look to retain the trophy against the USA later this month and McIlroy detailed how captain Luke Donald has been readying the players for what is set to be a raucous atmosphere on the New York course.

Speaking at the BMW PGA Championship at the weekend, the world number two said: "It is just to simulate the sights and sounds and noise. That's the stuff that we are going to have to deal with. So it's better to try to desensitise yourself as much as possible before you get in there. 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 haven't triumphed at an away Ryder Cup since 2012 and McIlroy accepts that not even VR can prepare the team for what awaits at Bethpage Black.

The five-time major champion said: "We are doing everything we can to best prepare ourselves for what it is going to feel like on Friday week. But nothing can really prepare you until you're actually in that. You can wear all the VR headsets you want and do all the different things we've been trying to do to get ourselves ready, but once the first tee comes on Friday, it's real, and we just have to deal with whatever's given."

An exuberant crowd is expected at the Ryder Cup but McIlroy will wait for the event before passing judgement.

He said: "We might get there and be like, this actually isn't as bad as we thought it would be.

"No matter if you're an American team going to Europe or you're a European team going to America, it's the same. You know you're going to be up against not just a great team but the crowd as well. That brings its challenges.

"New York is definitely more of a cosmopolitan city, more of a melting pot and more backgrounds and people identify as part European. We should get a little more support but at the same time, you're going to America with an American crowd."