The 28-year-old Scotsman dreams of being golf’s world number one, but has acknowledged his goal is difficult because of the US player’s formidable prowess on the green.

He told Golf Monthly magazine: “It would help if Scottie took a few months off, rather than just the few weeks he missed because of that weird incident when he cut his hand on some broken glass at Christmas.

“Scottie is a great golfer and he has set the bar at an incredibly high level.

“The rest of us have to try to find a way of matching that, because I can’t see him slipping back any time soon.

“But I think world number one has to be everyone’s goal. Who wants to be second best at anything?

“We’re competitors and we want to be winners. If you don’t have that mindset, that ambition, you’re in the wrong job.

“You have to play incredible golf and I’ve got some way to go.

“But I’ve got a lot more improvement in me and I’ll never stop trying to get to the top.”

Robert has faced criticism for his language on the green but insisted he doesn’t intend to “offend” anyone with his outbursts and suggested microphones should simply be directed elsewhere to avoid picking up his swearing.

He said: “I’m not meaning to offend anyone but it is in the heat of the battle. I am red-lining in situations like that. I am on the edge. Every now and again it is going to come out.

“But it’s live sport. You wouldn’t put a microphone on a football pitch or on a referee because you are going to hear bad language, so don’t point it at me.

“I am trying my best to improve it, but I’m Scottish and it’s part of our vocabulary!

“It’s difficult but I am conscious of it and I am trying my best not to do it too much.”