Scott a long-time World top tenner and the Australian World No 1 until he conceded the spot to Geoff Ogilvy earlier this year on a slide that has dropped him to No 17 in the World, told tournament officials on Tuesday that he hurt his right kneecap in a surfing wipe out at nearby Coolum Beach on Sunday.

His manager said scans will be conducted this week, but that Scott, a long-time surfer, is still hopeful of playing in next week's Australian Open in Sydney.

The 28-year-old Australian golfer, whose swing has been described as a near carbon copy of a younger Tiger Wood, has six titles on the US PGA Tour and six on the European Tour and has reached the stage when he is about to join the ranks of those professionals who at one time or another in their careers have been called 'the best golfer never to have won a major'

The Australian PGA, with defending champion Peter Lonard and multi-winner Robert Allenby in a strong local field that includes the colourful and controversial John Daly is due to tee-off on Thursday.