Henrik Stenson believes he has had the perfect preparation for The 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon after tackling the test of Castle Stuart Golf Links last week.
The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open provided the traditional curtain-raiser for this week's action and was a true test of links golf, with high winds providing very difficult conditions on day one in the Highlands.
Stenson arrived in Inverness off the back of a win at the BMW International Open and recorded a 76 in the high winds before recovering over the next three days to finish in a tie for 13th.
The European Tour International Schedule has now headed south west to Troon for the third Major Championship of the year, and the World Number Six feels he is ready for the challenge.
Winning in Germany a couple of weeks back was certainly nice and it always gives you confidence, a little push in the right direction - Henrik Stenson
"So that was good and we certainly got to test some pretty gusty conditions, breezy conditions at Castle Stuart last week. It was pretty brutal on that Thursday afternoon. So it was a tough day but something that we can encounter out here throughout the week as well.
"So in that sense, I guess we've had a pretty good rehearsal and it's always good to play the week before on links. And I came Monday-Tuesday before the Scottish to have a look at the course here.
"It's my first visit to Troon and it's the one that makes the circuit complete. It's the only one I haven't played in my professional career. This is the Open that I haven't played."
A first time at Troon means a first time tackling the Postage Stamp - the 123 yard eighth that is the shortest hole on the Open rotation - and despite its lack of length, Stenson believes the famous par three will provide a big test this week.
"Anyone who wants to see potential train wrecks, if it's blowing hard into off the left, that would be the place to sit in that left-hand grandstand and see a player struggle with that right-hand bunker," he said. "I believe it's one of those great little par threes.
"I guess it has a little similarity to the 17th at Sawgrass. It shouldn't be much of a problem, but it can certainly be one.
"I'd say probably you've got even less margins at the Postage Stamp than you have at 17 at Sawgrass. So it's not something you worry about but you've got to be careful on that one, for sure."
