Marc Warren, one half of Scotland's World Cup-winning team of last year, has criticised the eligibility criteria for this year's event which could leave Scotland having to qualify for the tournament later this year in China.

Warren and Colin Montgomerie teamed up last November to deliver Scotland's first victory in the 54-year history of the team competition, defeating the United States duo of Heath Slocum and Boo Weekly at the third extra hole at Mission Hills.

Yet while the host nation China is afforded automatic entry, event rules do not afford the defending champions the same privilege.

"It's an absolute shambles, said Warren, after carding a two-over-par 72 on the opening day of the KLM Open in Zandvoort. "I'm not saying the same players should be exempt but, at the very least, the winning country should be. It's ludicrous that they could have a tournament without the defending champion nation and it makes it an absolute farce.

"It would be outrageous if Scotland, as world champions, have to qualify, just ridiculous. It's beyond me that the only country exempt is China. The World Cup is at Mission Hills for 12 years and that makes it even more of a farce."

The scenario was confirmed by Keith Waters, director of international policy at the European Tour. He said: "I've argued that the defending nation should be exempt, but it's a decision endorsed by the International Federation where the European Tour has just one vote."

Twenty-eight nations contest the World Cup, with the leading 18 countries qualifying off the world rankings.

Scotland is currently ranked No.21, with Alastair Forsyth (No.84) and Montgomerie (No.88) certain to represent the country. Their only hope of avoiding the embarrassment of having to qualify in Poland, Malaysia or Aruba is the possibility that two nation representatives higher than Scotland in the rankings do not take up automatic entry.

They are Fiji's Vijay Singh, No.5, and the Canadian pair of Stephen Ames (No.26) and Mike Weir (No.38). "We've heard that Vijay, Stephen Ames and Mike Weir don't intend to play, but that won't be confirmed till the cut-off point for entries," said Waters.

Forsyth confirmed he will pull on the Scotland colours, straight after sharing the Scottish leading honours with Gary Orr with a 68 on the rain-swept Kennemer course.

He said: "I am looking forward to going to China - that's, of course, if we don't have to qualify. I've represented Scotland three times before and I guess it will be Monty and me, but it seems extraordinary that the defending champions might not be exempt."

Dutchman Rolf Muntz was out in the opening group and carded a six-under-par 64 which was still leading the field 12 hours later. Denmark's Soren Hansen, who is 10th on the Ryder Cup points table, set about further cementing his place in Nick Faldo's team by carding a 65.