Return ‘home’ gives Westwood chance to familiarise himself with old routines

The 41-year-old Florida resident has very few chances to play on traditional courses since his move Stateside from his Worksop home 18 months ago.

And having led the Open after 54 holes last year, he hopes to arrive at Royal Liverpool for next week’s third major of the seasonhaving honed his game on the Scottish links over the next four days.

“I don’t get the chance to play in Britain very often, just the PGA Championship at Wentworth and these two tournaments,” said the former world No 1 who has dropped to 32nd in the rankings.

“Hopefully I can play well in Scotland and that will be good preparation for the Open Championship.

“I just want to get used to playing links golf. Living in Florida it’s a lot of high trajectory shots, not much playing in strong winds and running the ball along the ground and chipping around the greens.”

Phil Mickelson defends the Scottish Open in the build up to the defence of the Open title he won at Muirfield.

“Tomorrow is supposed to be terrible weather, and I hope it is,” said the 44 year old left-hander. “Because I would love to be able to play in that stuff that I never get a chance to back home.”

Simon Dyson, Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick compete.