On the eve of a new European Tour season, starting far from Europe, Ian Woosnam suggested that players be made to sign contracts banning them from asking for appearance money to play in the Ryder Cup.

He branded as "pathetic" demands from some United States players to be paid to play at Brookline last year, adding that Europe's players must ensure there can be no similar situation, of multi-millionaires demanding money to play for their country, regardless that the Americans later offered to pay the money to charity.

Woosnam said: "I think when players pay their Tour membership fee at the beginning of the year they should be made to sign a contract saying, `If I do get in the Ryder Cup I'm playing for nothing.' If you don't sign it, you're not eligible to play in the Ryder Cup. Maybe that's the way to go about it."

After studying the Houghton course here Woosnam said: "It's the kind where you need to hit it long and straight." Summer rains of biblical proportions have visited the area over the past month, leaving the rough deep." However, some of the players gathered for the Alfred Dunhill Championship wanted to discuss anything but golf. Jean van de Velde wanted to talk about skiing, David Frost about wine making. When pressed about the tournament, which begins today Van de Velde, the Frenchman admitted: "I'd probably have a better chance this week if it was a skiing tournament."

In the absence of Ernie Els, last year's champion, the local challenge will be led by Retief Goosen while Paul McGinley will lead the Irish charge in the chase for a first prize of £78,000. Gary Murphy, who won his card at the tour school and James Loughnane, a regular on the South African tour last year will join McGinley.