Five-time Major winning Phil Mickelson was singing the praise of the two-year old Trump International Golf Links Scotland course ahead of his Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open defence.

Mickelson, along with many of the leading competitors in this week’s event, is staying at lodges on the stunning Martin Hawtree designed course just north of Royal Aberdeen.

Joining Mickelson in staying on site is fellow Americans Jimmy Walker, Rickie Fowler and Ryan Palmer along with leading Europeans in Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter plus four-time Major winner Ernie Els.

Mickelson got his first look at Trump International Golf Links Scotland on Tuesday afternoon when he and his long-time caddy Jim ‘Bones’ McKay took on the all-Ireland duo of Harrington and his long time caddy Ronan Flood.

The 1st hole at the stunning Trump International Golf Links Scotland course. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

And while Mickelson only played nine holes he was greatly impressed with the layout and design.

“What I really enjoyed about it is that it’s really a traditional links golf course but it’s on a modern day scale,” said Mickelson.

“The fairways are at a more proportional width for hitting drivers.  The holes are longer to where driver is the play.  The bunkers are placed properly for hitting drivers, 3‑woods, long irons off tees where many of The Open Championship courses that we play, we end up hitting a lot of irons off tees to try to circumvent or navigate around the bunkering; that it doesn’t have the same modern day scale.

“So I thought the Trump course was sensational.”