Tiger Woods's former coach Butch Harmon believes Australian Adam Scott is the only young player capable of giving the American a run for his money at the top of the world rankings.

"Adam Scott is the best player under 30 in the world by far," Harmon said of his protege. "You may get an argument for Luke Donald or Sergio Garcia but I just think Adam Scott is above them. He's a truly great talent.

"He is the only one who can challenge Tiger Woods in the next four or five years. He's the only one I see of the young players with all the things it takes to get close to Tiger Woods," Harmon added.

World number five Scott showed his class last month when he fired a record final round of 11-under-par 61 to romp to a three-shot victory in the European Tour's Qatar Masters.

Harmon, who also coaches world number two Phil Mickelson, said the 27-year-old from Adelaide was hungry to take on the all-conquering Woods.

"He (Scott) is long off the tee, he's a good driver, he's worked on his putting and is putting consistently now, his wedge play has got a lot better and I think he wants it more," said Harmon.

"He wants to be the guy that challenges Tiger Woods."