Former Open champion Phil Mickelson is relishing getting his hands on the Claret Jug for a second time, even if they both have to be protected by gloves all week.
Mickelson wore a black glove on each hand to combat the wet conditions in the final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, a move which paid off with a closing 66 at Castle Stuart.
And the five-time major winner is happy to face similar weather at Royal Troon next week as he looks to win a second Open title following his success at Muirfield in 2013.
"I love playing in these conditions, I love the challenge of it," Mickelson said after a round containing four birdies and an eagle on the ninth, where he holed out from 99 yards.
"I've learned a few tricks over the years that have really helped - playing with those two all-weather gloves has been very helpful for me because I don't worry about losing control of the club.
" I started it the year Darren Clarke won (the Open in 2011) and I made that run on Sunday so had instant success and it's been kind of a staple for me - I always carry a pair of those and any time it rains I put them on.
"I've always accepted and relished that it (bad weather) is part of the Open Championship. I prefer we play in that because it seems that's what the history of the tournament is known for.
"You still need some luck of the draw. You have to have the good end of the tee times because those three or four-shot differences is often times the difference in the tournament."
Mickelson was never in contention for a second Scottish Open title after an opening 76 in strong winds, but bounced back with rounds of 69, 70 and 66.
"I love the golf course here and to come in with a good final round feels good," the 46-year-old added. "Feels like there's a little bit of momentum heading into next week, b ut it also helped me identify some areas I need to work on for next week.
"My lag putting really cost me two, three shots a round the first few rounds because I wasn't getting it close enough from long distance. That's an area that I'll have to work on because it needs to be sharp for next week.
" You're going to be putting from off the green and from long distances on the greens, and you've got to get those close to make easy pars. I really made it difficult for me this week and that's why I didn't have a chance heading into the final round today, but it was still a great week."
Source: PA
