Mark James should not both captain Europe and play in this year's Ryder Cup, according to Bernhard Langer.

The German Ryder Cup veteran, who is competing in the Compaq European Grand Prix which begins at Slaley Hall in Northumberland tomorrow, is already thinking ahead to the event at Brookline, Boston, in September.

On his first visit to the North East, he strongly insisted that James, in contention for an automatic place when the top 10 rankings are confirmed on August 22nd, must not do both jobs.

Langer, with nine Ryder Cup appearances under his belt and on the winning side on four occasions said: "It's a difficult one and I think he can't do both. There's no way he can play and be captain at the same time, so he has to make up his mind.

"It's too big a job. There's too much media interest, too many things to do for a captain. He's running around for 20 hours a day anyway getting everything organised.

"There is no room to do that and play at the same time. That's my opinion, but you're going to have to ask Mark about that if he makes the team by the end of August."

Langer, currently eighth in the Ryder Cup standings and one place behind James, chuckled at the comments made by US Open winner Payne Stewart that the Ryder Cup belonged on their side of the ocean.

"I'm sure Payne Stewart thinks so, but we think otherwise. We have been fortunate to win the last two times and we will be trying to continue doing that in the future.

"I think the team is shaping up well. There's going to be a couple of new faces, which is on the cards every two years, and that's a good and healthy progression. And there will still be a few guys who have had lots of Ryder Cup experience.

"I think that's also a good continuation to have - some of the young blood and some experienced guys in the team. It seems to have worked very well in the past."

Langer, who until last year had won a European Tour tournament every year since 1980, is looking to return to winning form on his debut at the picturesque "Augusta of the North" course.

"I've had three good rounds and then one bad or mediocre one. I need to avoid making mistakes and make more birdies and less bogies." Ian Woosnam lost his battle for fitness after trapping his hand in a door when playing with his children earlier this month.

"Ian tried a practice round yesterday but realised there is no way he is fit enough to compete," said Nigel Gough, the event director.