World No. 16 Phil Mickelson will tee-up in this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open without the benefit of a practice round on the Castle Stuart course.

Phil Mickelson sure to be popular at this week's Scottish Open. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Mickelson was a late entry into the event and only electing to play in northern Scotland after missing the cut in last week’s Greenbrier Classic.

He travelled to Italy with his family to spend time in Venice and with a European Tour official indicating the Mickelson’s were leaving Rome this afternoon and planning to arrive in Inverness early evening.

Mickelson, who was runner-up in the 2007 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, has been given an afternoon tee time for the first round of 1.15pm local time, and will compete in the company of Scotland’s leading world ranked pair of Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird.

It will be Mickelson’s second straight appearance on the acclaimed Gil Hanse designed course after he finished tied 58th last year.