Golf: Robertson backing Bjorn on European Tour

Scotland's Dean Robertson is hoping Thomas Bjorn's victory over Tiger Woods will inspire his practice mate to a second European Tour title in the Madeira Island Open.

Bjorn famously defeated Woods in the Dubai Desert Classic a fortnight ago in an epic battle that gave heart to many of those who suspected the world number one was almost invincible.

And while Robertson admits he still has some way to go to match that kind of performance, his experience of practising with Bjorn before his Dubai triumph has given the 30-year-old Teesside-based Scot a massive confidence boost.

"I feel my game has moved on to a new level," said Robertson, who finished joint fourth in Qatar last week and fourth on this Santo da Serra course in 1995 in his maiden European Tour event.

"I spent a week before Dubai practising with Thomas every day and gained a lot from that.

"My game was almost right up there with him but as well as I was playing in practice, he was playing better and it was a great sobering thing because it means you can't think 'I've cracked it now'.

"I learnt a lot from practising with him and I feel I can bridge that gap in time and the only way to do that is to win on regular occasions.

"I don't do that yet but I'd like to think I'm moving in the right direction to do that. Cuts don't even come into the equation any more.

"I haven't won a tournament yet this year, which is one of my goals, and I am looking forward to competing again this week.

"Some of the top guys aren't here this week but that's fine. Now they are not here I have to be one of the favourites this week and that's not a problem. It doesn't change my mental attitude."