Nick Faldo, once an automatic Ryder Cup performer for the European team, is desperate for qualifying points at this week's Dubai Desert Classic.

"Unfortunately I've had to keep a watchful eye on the world rankings because of my position," said the 41-year-old six-time Major winner, whose form has plummeted.

Although he shared in England's World Cup triumph last November, he has not won individually for two years and risks missing the cut for the 12 best European players to face the US in Boston in September.

"I have to go out and make some world ranking points. I've been told top 30 this week could get me enough points but I don't think I'll be aiming for that.

"I want to get up there and get in. I want Ryder Cup points and the way to do it is to play well in the Andersen Consulting.

"It's such a big event, triple the size of most of our events, so if you have a good week you could bite of a big chunk towards making the Ryder Cup team. If you won it, you'd be in the team, simple as that."

Faldo needs to be one of the world's top 64 who will play the Andersen Consulting World Matchplay Championship of Golf at La Costa, Carlsbad.

This week's event at Dubai Creek is the final event to count towards world ranking points for the California event.

The prize money in California, $5 million with a $1 million first prize, is so great that a European winner could make the Ryder Cup team with one victory.

Lying 65th in the world rankings, Faldo's position is tenuous, however, and he knows he could lose his chance if he plays poorly in Dubai, even though the world's top 66 might qualify.

Faldo will play next week's Qatar Masters on the European Tour if he fails to make the World Championship.

He put his indifferent start in the first two European Tour events down to "rustiness" and reckoned he was in better shape after coaching sessions

Faldo will need to be in shape this week at a Creek course which has been set up with severe rough.

Europe's 1997 Ryder Cup captain Severiano Ballesteros, now ranked 404th, makes his 1999 seasonal debut and with the Spaniard's swing still suspect, the former Desert Classic winner may struggle.

Defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal reckoned it may not the sort of course his compatriot should have chosen to launch his year.