Tiger Woods

In doing so he seems to have all but exerted a psychological stranglehold over some of the world's best. Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie are among those who have claimed that if Woods plays well he will win.

But Scott prefers to concentrate on his own ambitions as he prepares for his first Major championship over the Old Course at St Andrews.

"I can't and I don't want to think like that," said Scott, who shares both a similar swing with Woods and the same coach in Butch Harmon.

"All my dreams are just shattered if I never think I'm going to be the number one player or never going to win the golf tournament just because Tiger's playing.

He wins a lot of the time and that's incredible - but some people beat him

Adam Scott on Tiger Woods

"He doesn't win every week - he wins a lot of the time and that's incredible - but some people beat him other weeks. I've got a long way to improve too, I'm still young and new at the thing. This is my first Major as well and it will be an exciting week.

"I think obviously Tiger's got the best chance of anyone but there's probably someone out there that can give him a run for his money this week."

Expert advice

It is asking a lot of Scott, just 20 last Sunday and playing only his fifth event as a professional, to be that player.

But he has been getting some expert advice on how to play the Old Course from five-times Open champion Peter Thomson, who won one of his titles at the venue in 1955.

"Peter showed me around," Scott said. "He's the king. It was very valuable and hopefully that will save me a few this week.

"It was good to be around the leaderboard last week at Loch Lomond. I played with great players all week (including Nick Faldo, Tom Lehman and Els) and that was good for me too.

"To play well with world-class players was a good feeling. Hopefully during the weekend I can be moving up into the spotlight."