Ryder Cup

Hunter Mahan is hoping the experience he gained at the Presidents Cup will help when he makes his first Ryder Cup appearance.

Mahan has only ever attended one Ryder Cup, as a spectator, in 1999 at Brookline when the American team pulled off a near-miraculous comeback on the final day to beat Europe in suburban Boston.

Nine years later he will return to the Ryder Cup, but this time as a player after being awarded a wild car pick by captain Paul Azinger.

Mahan was part of the victorious US team at last year's Presidents Cup, but he understands the pressure will be a whole lot more intense when he tees off in Kentucky in two weeks.

"It was interesting being the first guy off, starting the whole thing off," said Mahan in reference to the Presidents Cup.

"But it was great. I definitely learned a lot from that experience, which is really going to help me in the Ryder Cup.

"It's pretty obvious the Ryder Cup is just amped up a little bit more (but) it's still golf. You're still trying to do the same things. You've just got to play your best and know the guys you're playing with are supporting you."

Notwithstanding his Presidents Cup experience, it remains to be seen whether Mahan fully understands the pressure he will likely feel standing on the first tee at the Ryder Cup.

Irishman Padraig Harrington on Wednesday recalled how he felt in his debut in 1999.

"The first tee shot, I was so nervous I couldn't even see the golf ball," Harrington said.

"You've got to expect that in your first Ryder Cup. I don't think you can prepare yourself for something like that."