The Open Championship will start at St Andrews later this week and Faldo, currently enjoying some rare form, is fearful of the current holder of the US Open, US PGA and world number one titles.

Faldo, in a practice round with Woods' caddie Steve Williams, said: "He is phenomenal and obviously the man to beat.

"With the way the wind was blowing we worked out that he can drive six of the greens (at par fours) and gets on the fifth (568 yards long) with a driver and wedge."

"I hit a couple of drives 360-380 yards, so Tiger will be hitting them 450."

Record

Ten years ago Faldo won The Open by five shots and set a record of 18 under par for a major championship of golf.

It was a record which held until the 1997 Masters - when Woods equalled it in winning his first-ever major as a professional by 12 shots.

Woods now arrives in Scotland looking to become the youngest of only five players to win all four major titles in their careers. It would also make him the current holder of three of them.

"I don't care about Tiger beating Jack's record (18 majors), but if he beats my 18 under I will be very upset," Faldo said in jovial mood.

"The way they will set the course up hopefully it will not be possible.

"I think they are going to sneak the pin positions a couple of yards closer to the traps - and you have to go and see the bunker faces they have done."

All 112 bunkers on the links have been adjusted and not been made any easier.

"They are unbelievable," added Faldo.

"It is a wall - some of them are 80 degrees and six to eight feet deep.

"They are absolutely incredible. Even playing out backwards is a hell of a good shot if you get a lip in your way both ways.

"The best advice is steer clear of them. They are hazards and that is the way they are intended."

Oldest champion

Faldo celebrates his 43rd birthday this week and victory would make him the third oldest Open champion after 46-year-old Old Tom Morris in the last century and 44-year-old Roberto de Vicenzo at Hoylake in 1967.

Seventh on the leaderboard in the US Open and ninth at Loch Lomond at the weekend, Faldo was in confident mood.

"I have to believe I can win," he enthused.

"It may not happen right now, but I certainly feel I can win another major because I think I am putting the pieces back to the jigsaw of what it takes to play and win tournaments. Then obviously to win majors.