• WGC-Cadillac Championship

Scott: I want Woods' world No.1 place

Adam Scott has admitted he is gunning for Tiger Woods' world No.1 spot at this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Scott returns to action at Doral after six weeks out following his most successful season on Tour, highlighted by winning his maiden major at The Masters in April.

And it has catapulted Scott into a position where, for the first time in his career, he has the chance to top the world rankings. But to do so, he needs to win on Sunday and for Woods to finish outside the top seven.

Woods concerned by back problems

Woods pulled out of the Honda Classic on Sunday with just five holes to play © Getty Images

• Tiger Woods has been uncharacteristically candid about his long-term fitness doubts despite confirming he will defend his title at this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship.
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"I've said the whole time I wouldn't really think about it until it came to this," he said. "But it's impossible not to.

"It would be a dream come true to make it to that point."

If all the players currently scheduled to start in the lucrative no-cut event make it to the first tee, it will be the first time since the 2012 PGA Championship that all top 50 players in the world have been in action in the same tournament - a stat that makes Scott even more aware of the task ahead of him.

"If you look at the statistics, there's no reason why I'm just going to roll out and win this week," he said. "It is a long way to go and a long way to beat one of the best fields in golf.

"My goal is no different this week. It is always to win, but firstly I have to get myself in a position to do so.

"I'm very comfortable with where my game is at and I can put myself in contention this week. If I get there, the motivation to win will be that much more than just winning a trophy. It would be a wonderful way to reach the world No.1 ranking.

With a wry smile, he added: "It would be a great story for me, anyway."

If he does reach No.1, he will become the second Australian to do so since boyhood idol Greg Norman's 331-week stint ended in January 1998.

"Someone has to be the next one," Scott said. "It may be me or it may be [current world No.4 and compatriot] Jason Day. But when you have an icon in the game like Greg Norman and you're the generation to follow, everything is going to be compared to him and I have only ever taken that as a compliment."

Day, who won the opening World Golf Championship of the season at the Match Play Championship a fortnight ago, had also been eyeing top spot - but pulled out of this week's event with a thumb injury.

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