Rose can see past Tiger's circus

England's Justin Rose is confident he can cope with the circus which follows Tiger Woods after being drawn with the world number one and 1999 champion Paul Lawrie in the first two rounds of the Open Championship at Carnoustie later this week.

Woods always draws the biggest galleries but that also brings with it a fair share of distractions. However, Rose believes he has the mental strength to block it all out.

"It is going to be an exciting draw. There is going to be a lot of attention on it," he told PA Sport.

"It is going to be busy out there and there could be a lot of distractions so really my job is to go out there and be really focused on my own game."

Rose was also paired with Woods at Muirfield in 2002 when the world number one was halfway towards a first Grand Slam of all four majors in one season, having won the Masters and US Open, but in foul weather on the Saturday his chance disappeared when he slumped to an 81.

He did come back with a closing 65, but finished down in 28th place. Rose, 21 at the time, out-scored Woods by two with his opening 68 to be only one off the lead, but then scored a second-round 75 and ended up 22nd.

Rose added: "All I can control are my thoughts and my process. I think when you have to try to focus you are not really focused.

"It needs to come naturally to you and that comes from your preparation and I'm hoping my preparation is going to be spot on and therefore when I hit the first tee I will be right into the tournament and worrying about what I've got to do."

Woods begins his bid for a hat-trick of titles - something last achieved by Australian Peter Thomson - at 9.09am on Thursday.