Phil Mickelson insists the variable Scottish weather will not have any bearing on his ability to defend the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open this week.
The American, who won this title at Castle Stuart last year and then added The Open Championship at Muirfield a week later, is playing in Scotland ahead of the year’s third Major Championship for the fifth year in succession.
The event moves to Royal Aberdeen for 2014, where wind and rain is forecast for Thursday, with improved weather predicted for the remainder of the week.
But Mickelson insists he will not be thrown off his game by the conditions.
“Tomorrow is supposed to be terrible weather - I hope it is,” said the 44 year old left-hander. “Because I would love to be able to get out in that stuff and play and play in that stuff that I never get a chance to back home, and have actually started to play pretty well in over the years. It's fun and it's a great opportunity.
“There's a lot of things that have to go your way and as the weather changes, you need to have a good break with the weather and we're going to have some rough weather these next few days, which I'm actually really looking forward to. I've played some is of my best golf in bad weather.
“I remember Royal St. George's in 2011 in that awful weather playing some of my best golf. We'll see how it goes but I'm excited to play.”
While Mickelson enjoyed his success at Castle Stuart, the five-time Major winner is also looking forward to the challenge of a new venue.
“Bones and I have had a great few days here, getting in a little early, such great golf courses here,” he added.
“I have loved Castle Stuart where we've played the last few years. I just think it's such a great modern day designed links golf course, but Royal Aberdeen is a real asset to this tournament. It's a beautiful golf course. We played here on Monday and it was opposite wind, and as we go out today it, just feels like a totally different course.
“I've been over in Europe now for two weeks already, and I'm acclimatised to the time and enjoying my time here and looking forward to playing some golf. I love these two events. They were two of the most memorable events of my career arguably last year. Having my family here, spending the two weeks here, and winning both events was something I'll always cherish.
“Walking up the 18th hole at Muirfield knowing I had the tournament in the grasp was really the greatest feeling to be able to take advantage of that moment and not have to grind it out but really enjoy the walk. I'll always remember that, and it's a very emotional time for me.
“You've got to maneuver yourself around the bunkers and keep the ball in play, get it up on the green and have some great lag putting and short game around the green because you'll have a lot of 60 to 100 foot chips and putts.
“I really believe coming here and playing the week before The Open, playing in a great links test like this, is a real asset, an asset for players from overseas to get acclimated to the time and really get acclimated to these conditions.
“When you really appreciate and love it, like I've learned to, it's exciting. It turns out to be some of our favourite weeks of the year.”
