Tiger hunters: Young pretenders

Adam Scott (Australia) - The 19-yea-rold clearly believes in imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. Scott closely resembles Woods in size and physique, but he also swings like him and is tutored by Butch Harmon, Tiger's coach. He is also now based in Las Vegas, home of Harmon. The move looks to be paying dividends, because Scott finished fifth in this year's Benson and Hedges Championship at The Belfry when still an amateur before enjoying a top-15 finish in a star-studded field for the Loch Lomond Invitational earlier in the month in just his fourth outing as a professional. Hopes of a fairytale first Open after he qualified in style were dashed when he missed the cut at St Andrews.

Aaron Baddeley (Australia) - Showed his potential for greatness when holding off both Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie earlier this year to become the youngest winner of the Australian Open in its 95-year history. The rising amateur star is not lacking in confidence either. "Tiger is the benchmark," he said. "If I want to be the number one player I've got to be better than him." Gary Player also believes Baddeley is a better player now than Jack Nicklaus was at a similar age.

Luke Donald (England) - Won the American Collegiate title at Hazeltine last year in a score lower than that posted by Tiger when he claimed the crown in the mid-90s. The 22-year-old has so far resisted the temptation to turn professional until he completes his studies next year. Is expected to explode on the full circuit after helping the Great Britain and Ireland team defend their Walker Cup trophy in Sea Island, Georgia, next year.

Sergio Garcia (Spain) - With Woods so dominant it is easy to forget the monumental achievements of the Spanish superstar-in-waiting now that he is a fully-fledged member on Tour. After a prolific amateur career, he turned pro last spring and won the Irish Open on only his sixth start in the paid ranks at the tender age of 19. Only Tiger himself prevented Garcia becoming the youngest winner of a Major for 129 years when edging him out by a shot in the USPGA at Medinah last August. A sparkling Ryder Cup debut and Dunhill Cup win for his country followed before he won his second Tour event, the German Masters. Garcia has cut a frustrated figure in a thus-far winless second season and faces disciplinary action after slamming his club into the turf at St Andrews.