Mark James, hoping to make his European tour comeback in May after a seven-month battle with cancer, could find himself in trouble on his return.

The 1999 Ryder Cup captain has criticised the cup committee for being weak over its handling of the row which led to him resigning as vice-captain to Sam Torrance for this September's match.

James' remarks may be seen as contravening the tour's code of behaviour, which prohibit "public comments that a member knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation or interests of . . . the PGA European Tour or its officials."

As a member of the tour's board of directors - and chairman of the tournament committee - James sits alongside Ryder Cup committee members Neil Coles, Angel Gallardo and John O'Leary.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the newspaper which last May published extracts from his controversial book Into the Bearpit, James recalls the build-up to his resignation.

"I was not going to resign and give the impression that I was fed up with the hassle," said the 47year-old, who had been involved in a war or words with Nick Faldo.

"I wanted the Ryder Cup Committee to make clear that they were forcing me to resign. The saddest thing is that I knew the committee would behave like that. They are so weak and out of touch with the current players.

"They just wanted the whole row between Nick and me to go away. They looked for the easiest way and decided on my resignation.

"They got Sam Torrance to phone me. I have not even heard officially from the committee about their decision."

David Garland, director of tour operations, said yesterday 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 spread to his abdomen. But he hopes to be able to return at the Volvo PGA championship at Wentworth at the end of May.