Singh has won three of his last nine starts on the US Tour

The Fijian, second in the world, is bidding to extend his run of 12 straight top-10 finishes.

The 40-year-old will face Woods for only the second time this season as the world number one resumes after a break.

"I've got to win more tournaments to get to number one. Finishing top 10 is not going to get me there," said Singh.

Jack Nicklaus set the PGA Tour record of 14 consecutive top 10s in 1977.

Double champion Woods and former world number two Phil Mickelson are likely to be Singh's main rivals at Torrey Pines, a course suited to big hitters.

I'm working from a much more positive frame of mind Phil Mickelson

The 28-year-old Woods is defending champion in La Jolla, and returns to the Tour after five weeks off.

However, despite Singh threatening his status as world number one, Wood insisted he would not be tempted to play more tournaments.

"I don't know how you can stay mentally fresh," said Woods, who played nine fewer events than Singh last year.

"I can't. I play a limited schedule so when I do play, I'm ready to play. Vijay is able to maintain that high for a long period of time.

"If I did that, I would break down because I would start losing my focus."

Left-handed Mickelson, winner of last month's Bob Hope Classic after a 19-month absence from the top of the leaderboard, has tied for seventh and placed third in his last two US events.

And he believes hard work on his short game and improved fitness will lead to good results at this year's majors.

"I am really very excited about this year," Mickelson said.

"My balance is much better than it's ever been, and I'm driving the ball a lot better too.

"I think the biggest area, though, is mental. I'm working from a much more positive frame of mind."