Stephen Gallacher insists he will treat the Masters just like any other tournament.

The West Lothian golfer is making his debut in the event. He is one of two dozen first-timers at Augusta National - the highest number since the second Masters in 1935.

At 38 years of age, he is the second oldest in the field. The oldest is Michael McCoy, a 51-year-old insurance executive from Iwoa, who qualified after winning the US Mid- Amateur Championship.

Gallacher will step on to the first tee and, as is customary, the starter with the Georgian accent will announce: "Fore, please. Stephen Gallacher now driving!"

The Scot is sure to have butterflies, his knees will be knocking and his heart pumping, but he has the experience to convince himself it is just like any other tournament. He said: "My coach, Dave Stockton, said to just treat it like it was the Georgia Open. I said, 'yeah, right Dave' but I see where he's coming from.

"I haven't over-prepared and have tried to stay fresh. It will be a tough week, mentally and physically. I am going to be nervous and excited. But once I tee off I can treat it like any normal tournament."

Gallacher wound up his preparations yesterday morning, playing Augusta's front nine with his Livingston-based caddie, Damien Moore.

The serious work starts this afternoon when Gallacher will complete his goal of contesting all four major championships since making his debut in the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews as the then Scottish Amateur Strokeplay and Lytham Trophy champion.

"It was nice to get out early and play nine holes and get around in two-and-three-quarter hours, so that was great," he said. "I've now played four sets of nine. Earlier in the week I was out with past champions Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal, and you can't do much better preparations than that.

"Then I played with Sandy Lyle and he also gave me great insight. It was similar advice from all three former winners here and that is to play your own game.

"My emotions are fine and I'm looking forward to starting the tournament.

"Coming out on the course for the first time I could not believe how steep it was. The 10th and 18th fairways could be ski runs. It's unbelievable."

Gallacher first drove down Magnolia Lane last Saturday and, while he has now spent five days trying to familiarise himself with the course, he seems not to have soaked up much Masters history.

When quizzed if he had gone to study the 18th hole fairway bunker from where Lyle hit a seven-iron to set up 1988 Masters glory, Gallacher said: "No, I've just been trying to keep it on the fairway."

What has impressed him has been the large number of spectators who have flocked to the course.

He said: "It's really amazing. There was not one person on the course on Saturday, but from Monday the crowds have just been huge.

"It's a great golf course, a great event and the history and all that is just what I expected, really."

Gallacher's 12-year-old son, Jack, has already caused a stir at Augusta after being interviewed by a TV news reporter.

"She thought he was just a random kid," said Gallacher. "But when Jack said his father was playing in the Masters and he is the nephew of a former Ryder Cup captain [Bernard Gallacher], she nearly had a heart attack."