St Andrews will eject any hecklers who target No 1 Woods

Having said that he was "absolutely certain" that Woods will be present – he has another month to enter – Royal and Ancient Club chief executive Peter Dawson was pressed yesterday on what would happen to any spectators expressing their disgust at the world No 1's sex scandal.

Final discussions with police over the security level required have still to take place, but Dawson commented: "We are not in a police state and people can say what they like, but if they start putting players off we have to take steps. They will be asked to stop and if they don't stop they will be asked to leave."

Woods was generally welcomed back at the US Masters three weeks ago and strict security there meant there was no barracking.

Dawson is not expecting a big problem because Woods, who ended a five-month break from the game at Augusta, will have played a few more events come the summer.

Assuming he does enter, Woods will be trying for an unprecedented third successive victory at St Andrews, where crowds well in excess of 200,000 over the week are expected.

James Miller (Fulford) won the prestigious Hawksworth Trophy at Bradford with a two-round total of 136, six under par.

Miller prevailed against a top-class field of amateurs from the north of England. Simon Coumbe (Pontefract & District) finished second, two shots adrift, with Martin Brown (Pike Hills) third.

Hallamshire's Matthew Fitzpatrick, 15, will represent England at the Fairhaven Trophy in Lancashire this weekend.

Fitzpatrick endured a succession of second places in 2009 in the North of England Under-16 championship, the Yorkshire Under-16 championship and the St Andrews Under-18 Open.

The previous year the England Under-16 squad member won the St Andrews junior open and the Wentworth Under-14 scratch open.