Australia's Adam Scott believes it is no surprise Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Scott will replace Woods as the world No. 1-ranked golfer with a victory at the PGA Tour event in Orlando, Fla. He does not want to miss the opportunity after failing to take his chance at the WGC-Cadillac Championship earlier this month.
Woods pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Tuesday because of a back problem.
Scott does not believe Woods will miss the Masters next month.
"It has now been two weeks and his previous two tournaments his back has been bothering him," Scott said on Wednesday.
"I am sure his mind is set on being ready for Augusta so it seems simple whether it is Tiger or Jason Day (who is also injured) who are trying to be able to play Augusta. Jason is going to have to get ready and Tiger is doing the same I am sure."
Scott has never been ranked the world's best player before and hopes he can clinch victory at Bay Hill to achieve a long-term career goals.
"I don't know how many of those chances I'll get so, again, if that's the case this week, I'm going to be doing my best to take it," Scott said.
"Because, like I said, the well might dry up and I might never have this opportunity again and I spent 10 years not even thinking about it so to be number one in the world is a pretty incredible achievement whatever you are doing."