Phil Mickelson boost for the Scottish Open

Phil Mickelson has dropped a heavy hint that he'll be teeing up in this summer's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, where the American won the title in 2013 then completed a dream double by becoming Open champion at Muirfield a week later.

Phil Mickelson. Picture: Jane Barlow

Rory McIlroy has already announced that he won’t be heading to the Highlands to prepare for this year’s Claret Jug joust at Royal Troon due to the summer schedule being packed because of the Olympics.

Rickie Fowler, the defending champion, could also skip the event due to the same reason, but Mickelson looks set to hand the Scottish Open a major boost.

“In the summer months, where the majors are all being condensed because of the addition of the Olympics, things get a little bit chaotic,” said the five-time major winner, who produced a flash of magic to beat Branden Grace to triumph at the Inverness venue in the last of three Scottish Opens in a row being staged there.

“But I’ll try to play [events] the weeks before. The only time when I won’t have a chance to play the week before will be the US PGA. But, other than that, I’m trying to keep it as close to the same as in the past.”