Ryder Cup: James could be in trouble for comments

Mark James could find himself in trouble on his return to golf after criticising the Ryder Cup committee.

James criticised them for being weak over their handling of the row which led to him resigning as vice-captain to Sam Torrance for this September's match.

The 1999 Ryder Cup captain is hoping to make his European tour comeback in May after a seven-month battle with cancer.

But this will not prevent the PGA European tour handing out a punishment if the remarks are seen as contravening the tour's Code of Behaviour.

This states that players are not allowed to make "public comments that a member knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation or interests of...the PGA European Tour or its officials."

David Garland, Director of Tour Operations, said that James' latest comments "might be discussed."

It was three months after his resignation that James was diagnosed with lymphoma and began chemotherapy treatment.

He had testicular cancer and a tumour the size of a melon spread to his abdomen. But he hopes to be able to return at the Volvo PGA championship at Wentworth on May 25-28.

It will also be at Wentworth that Sergio Garcia is expected to be fined for comments he made about the tour's chief referee John Paramor after being penalised two shots at a tournament in Sydney last month.