Mahan blasts Ryder Cup

Mahan: strong opinions

You're just a slave that week.

Hunter Mahan
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Hunter Mahan's hopes of a Ryder Cup debut later this year appear slim after he claimed players are "just a slave that week".

In the latest edition of the American magazine "Golf", Mahan re-opened the debate over whether players should be paid to appear in the biennial match, an issue which caused controversy in the United States camp in 1999.

"From what I've heard the whole week is extremely long," said Mahan.

"You've got dinners every night - not little dinners, but huge, massive dinners. I know, as players, that's the last thing we want to do.

"We want to prepare ourselves. That's part of the whole thing: you're just a slave that week.

Ridiculous

"At some point the players might say, 'You know what - we're not doing this anymore, because this is ridiculous'.

"Don't be surprised if it (a refusal to play) happens. It's just not a fun week like it should be.

"The Presidents Cup is fun. Jack (Nicklaus) just makes it fun. We had a great time, we really enjoyed each other's company.

"From what I've heard, the Ryder Cup just isn't fun. The fun is sucked right out of it. That's the word I hear a lot."

Mahan is unhappy with what he perceives as the PGA of America exploiting the players for their own financial gain.

"Phil Mickelson and Tiger (Woods) - their time is worth money," he noted.

"And for the PGA of America, the Ryder Cup is a moneymaker like no other.

"They don't have to pay anything. I think when (Mark) O'Meara said players should get paid for it or some of the money given to their charities, I think (he said that) because the PGA takes so much out of the event that the players don't really get anything.

Honour

"Is it an honour to play? Yes, it is. But their time is valuable. This is a business.

"I just feel like the players don't have much control over it and I don't think they like that. I wouldn't like that.

"I think Europe really, really takes it seriously. I think the US does too, but not like Europe.

"For one, every place they hold a Ryder Cup in Europe is a place on the European Tour schedule. That's really smart because right away they have an advantage.

"The PGA of America could care less about winning it, honestly. They pick a site where they're going to have the Senior PGA, the PGA and the Ryder Cup, which means less money they have to pay out to get more money."

Mahan lies 12th on the US points list with just two weeks remaining in the qualifying race.

The top eight are guaranteed a spot in Paul Azinger's team, although with Woods ruled out by a knee injury, the player in ninth will also be assured of a place.

Should Mahan be left needing one of Azinger's four wild-cards, however, his comments can hardly aid his case.

Only two weeks ago at Royal Birkdale, Azinger told PA Sport: "All I want is players who want to be there and ready when they start."

The 2008 Ryder Cup takes place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 19-21