Former world No.1 Rory McIlroy will play at the Scottish Open for the first time in five years in July, intending to emulate Phil Mickelson's unique 2013 achievement.

American left-hander Mickelson ­became the first player to land the ­Scottish Open-British Open double when he followed up his win at Castle Stuart in Inverness with victory at Muirfield.

The two-time major champion ­admits that watching the American triumph at Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2013 and then go on to win at Muirfield the following week helped make up his mind to return to the event for the first time in five years.

"Phil winning the double last year made me realize the Scottish Open is more than good preparation for The Open," the 24-year-old Northern Irishman told the European Tour website (www.europeantour.com) on Monday.

"He showed it was possible to win both weeks."

The British Open warm-up event was played inland at Loch Lomond ­between 1996 and 2010 but the decision to move the tournament to the Castle Stuart ­seaside course from 2011-13 was welcomed by most of the players.

This season's event, to be held at ­Royal Aberdeen from July 10 to 13, will be staged the week before the British Open goes to Royal Liverpool.

"The Scottish Open going back to a traditional links course was something that made a lot of sense," said world No.6 McIlroy.

"This will be my first time at Royal Aberdeen. It's a great links with lots of golfing history ... and of course Phil will be back to defend his title."

McIlroy's previous Scottish Open campaigns both came at Loch Lomond, in 2008 and 2009.

He has made a confident start to the year, with a joint runner-up finish with Mickelson in the Abu Dhabi Golf ­Championship and tied for ninth in last week's Dubai Desert Classic, following on from a winning end to 2013 at the Emirates Australian Open.

Agencies - Global Times