Former champion Phil Mickelson confirms Scottish Open participation

Five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson has confirmed that he will make his sixth straight appearance at the Scottish Open later this year.

The 44-year-old will be in the field when the tournament is held at Gullane Golf Club for the first time.

World number 18 Mickelson is a former winner of the event and his victory at Castle Stuart in 2013 was followed by his first triumph in The Open at Muirfield a week later.

"I'm happy to be coming back for the Scottish Open again this year and looking forward to playing Gullane," BBC Sport quotes the American as saying.

"I've heard a lot about the course - saw it when I was practising at Muirfield before the Open a couple of years ago and am really looking forward to playing it.

"Winning the Scottish Open was a breakthrough that really helped me the next week at The Open Championship."

The tournament takes place between July 9 and 12, with The Open at St Andrew's the following weekend.