Adam Scott is loving life at the top but protecting the world No.1 ranking won’t be a focus at this week’s British Open.

“No. I really just want to take home the (Claret) Jug,” Scott told AAP ahead of the event at Royal Liverpool, starting on Thursday.

Scott will enter his second major championship as the world’s top-ranked player having become the first Australian since Greg Norman in 1998 to sit atop the sport’s official pecking order.

And with Swede Henrik Stenson and American Bubba Watson breathing down his neck on the standings – and Tiger Woods on the comeback trail – Scott could be forgiven for keeping a close eye on his main rankings rivals at Hoylake this week.

Scott, though, says he won’t be distracted – despite freely admitting the joy the top ranking has brought him.

“It’s just been a really fun ride the last couple of months. Being No.1 has been pretty incredible,” Scott said.

“I don’t think about it a lot because it could end soon but I’m sure one day I’ll reflect on it and realise how big an achievement it is.

“It certainly does feel good at the moment to be hanging onto that No.1 spot.”

Scott finished tied 9th at last month’s US Open, his first major as No.1, but hasn’t played since as he focused on his British Open preparations.