GOLF: Ian Woosnam, who hopes to captain Europe in the 2004 Ryder Cup, wants to see dramatic changes to the way the European team is selected.

Despite Europe's dramatic last-day win over the United States last month, Woosnam, who was vice-captain to Sam Torrance, wants to see the world ranking used when it comes to naming the team.

Currently the top 10 from the European Order of Merit automatically qualify and the captain has two picks.

"I just feel the world rankings are most important because people are playing all over the world," said Woosnam.

"I would be in favour of more off the rankings because people would know where they stand," added the Welshman.

"If I got the job it would be up to me to sit with the Ryder Cup committee and decide what is the right way."

Woosnam has already put his name forward for the captaincy of the 2004 European Ryder Cup team.

He has the full backing of Torrance but Woosnam says he has had no feedback from the European Tour since declaring his interest. Woosnam said he decided during last month's Ryder Cup that he wanted to take the top spot.

"It was a great thrill to be vice-captain and part of it. Obviously I spoke to Sam (Torrance) about it and he feels I should go ahead and do the captaincy as quickly as possible really," he said.

Woosnam begins the defence of his World Matchplay title tomorrow when he plays the winner of the first-round clash between Nick Faldo and New Zealand's Michael Campbell.

"The course is in superb condition. The rough isn't too long.

"You can attack the golf course. It's there for good scores," Woosnam said yesterday.