One of America's emerging stars may have dealt his hopes of a Ryder Cup debut in September a huge blow by claiming players are "just a slave that week" and raising the possibility of a boycott of the event in future.

Hunter Mahan lies 12th on the United States points table with just two weeks left in their qualifying race.

The top eight earn automatic spots on Paul Azinger's team, although with Tiger Woods ruled out by injury the player in ninth will be assured of a place.

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

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

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

He said: "From what I've heard the whole week is extremely long. 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.

"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."

In football, FIFA president Sepp Blatter caused controversy earlier this month with comments referring to slavery.

Speaking at a time when Real Madrid were desperately trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, who have refused to sell the under-contract winger, Blatter compared the transfer market system to "modern slavery".

Mahan's remarks are made in a different sport, and have elevated his profile for the wrong reasons.

He explained: "Phil Mickelson and Tiger - their time is worth money. 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.

"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."

Following the 1999 furore, a system was put in place whereby each member of the United States team was given $200,000 - half to be given to charity and half to a university to develop the game.