Adam Scott, the Masters champion, handed Stephen Gallacher an Augusta National practice routine seal of approval.

Gallacher is due to play his first official Masters practice round on the Monday of this year's opening major in the company of former champions Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.

At 39-years old, Gallacher will be the oldest of the present number of 18 "rookies" set to make their Masters debut with just two players, Horton Smith at the first Masters in 1934 and fellow American Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 having won on their debut.

Scott stepped on to Augusta National for the first time in 2002 and quickly showed his potential in finishing T9th behind Tiger Woods.

Last year, Scott ended a 77-year wait to become the first Australian-born player to be fitted with the famous green jacket. Now after posting a 62 on day one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and his final hit out before heading back to Augusta, Scott was happy to impart his advice to Gallacher.

"My advice to Stephen is to embrace the week for everything the Masters is as it's a dream come true for any golfer to get to play Augusta National," said Scott. "Unlike a few of the amateurs who have qualified, I know Stephen is a little older so he may not have that many opportunities to get back to the Masters but then in saying that there is no reason why he can't do well. And I like the idea that he's going to play practice rounds with Sandy and Woosie.

"Jose Maria [Olazabal] is one of my favourite guys and I was lucky to play plenty of practice rounds with him. I picked his brain a lot about how to play Augusta around the greens. But my other advice to Stephen is not to go thinking that he can win or just to try to make the halfway cut because he should really go there thinking about playing each round as it comes. If he adopts that manner there is no reason he can't do well and maybe turn the week into a win."

Scott warmed-up for his Masters defence with two eagles, seven birdies and just one bogey in his equal lowest round on the PGA and just a shot shy of his all-time career low of a 61 on the final day to capture the 2008 Qatar Masters in Doha.

Scotland's Russell Knox celebrated his first visit to "Arnie's event" with a one under par 71. Highlight of the Inverness-born golfer's round was holing a 10-foot birdie at his 12th hole.

Fellow Scot and former Arnold Palmer champion, Martin Laird was out in the afternoon half of the draw.