If Carly Booth needs any comforting words of wisdom ahead of her first major appearance on American soil this week then she does not need to look very far.

The 21-year-old has crossed the Atlantic to continue her golfing education in the US Women's Open, which starts tomorrow at the Sebonack club in New York, and Booth will be in good company.

While the Scottish youngster will be competing in only her second major – Booth made her debut in last year's British Open at Hoylake – Catriona Matthew will be striding out for a 67th time in a showpiece event.

At 43-years-old, Scotland's highest ranked global player is as competitive and as hungry for success as ever. The former British Women's Open champion shared seventh place in the opening major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and was pipped to victory in a play-off by Park Inbee at the LPGA Championship earlier this month.

In addition to Matthew, who tied for fourth in the 2001 US Open, the Scottish contingent is bolstered by Glasgow's Janice Moodie, the two-time LPGA Tour winner who came through a pre-qualifier recently to earn a spot in the field.

Booth played alongside Matthew and Moodie as a 14-year-old amateur in the Ladies Scottish Open back in 2007 and she remembers it well. "On the final day I ended up beating Catriona by a shot and that was quite an amazing experience for my first professional event," recalled Booth, who tied for 13th that year, one place above her decorated compatriot. "I spoke to her and Janice that week and they were very helpful and I knew then that I could call them if I needed advice.

"I've played with Catriona a few times since and I always feel I learn from her. She is so level headed. It's the way she strides about the course and that comes with time and experience."

While she had two wins on the Ladies European Tour last season, Booth has struggled to recapture that form in a stuttering 2013 and the former Curtis Cup player is eager to find the consistency that will take her game to a new level.

"After such a good year, my expectations would be higher for this year but it hasn't really taken off," she added. "I still feel I need to work on my short game and keep working away at making my fairways and greens in regulation more consistent. A lot of it is working hard on my weaknesses and strengthening the short game. It's being able to have that safety shot in the bag and knowing I get up and down every time I put myself out of position. That builds confidence."

This week's championship will gave Booth a taste of the American dream but, while the riches of the LPGA Tour remain a strong lure, the Scot knows there is plenty of hard work to do before she is ready for a full blown assault on the main circuit.

"I do want to get out there eventually," said Booth, who had a spell in the United States at the David Leadbetter Academy during her formative years. "But finding my feet on the European Tour is first just because it is a big step to go out there. Maybe next year I'll try the LPGA qualifying school but if I'm going to go there I want to feel ready."

As well as Booth, Matthew and Moodie, the Scottish posse competing on Long Island this week also includes former Curtis Cup player Sally Watson, who came through the qualifying stage and will be making her fourth major appearance.