Former champion Phil Mickelson insisted he found it ‘fun’ despite trailing seven shots from the lead on the opening day of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open near Inverness.

Mickelson was one over par after nine holes but then dropped three shots in his closing seven holes in a four over par 76 in bright but very windy conditions on the Castle Stuart course.

It was his poorest score in 12 Scottish Open appearances.

Australia’s Scott Hend, with two victories already this season, along with Chilean Felipe Aguilar share the lead on three under par.

Phil Mickelson on route to his highest score in 12 Scottish Open appearances. (Photo – Reuters)

Both Hend and Aguilar, who has a distant relative rescued from the 2010 Chilean Mine Rescue, will represent their respective countries at next month’s Olympic Games.

And the two-times Tour winning Aguilar had a message for the now 15 players to have withdrawn from competing in Rio de Janeiro.

“I am more scared of my wife than any mosquito,” he joked.

Eight players, including the Ireland duo of Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, are next best on two under par.

While there was just 20 players in the 156-player field to break par in the tough conditions compared to three years ago when there was 67 players under par following the first day’s play.

In 2013, Mickelson won both the Scottish Open and the following week’s Open Championship however three years ago he played a first round of 66 that was 10 shots fewer than today’s effort.

However Mickleson, who has not tasted success since his 2013 Open triumph at Muirfield, was not about to criticise the course designed by good friend, Gil Hanse who also designed the Rio Olympic Games venue.

“It was tough but the course has been so well-designed by Gil that it can accommodate difficult conditions,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I did not have a great putting day.  I really struggled on the greens and missed a few shorts ones that prevented me from shooting around par.

“I hope now the conditions stay like this as it’s fun.  It’s a fun but fair test.”