DAVID Howell is relishing the test of returning to the challenges of links golf ahead of his first round at the Scottish Open.

The Royal Aberdeen is a traditional open course where the weather will play a huge factor in comparison to the more sculpted courses that form the majority of the European Tour.

Last year’s Scottish Open winner Phil Mickelson went on to win the Open but with both tournaments at difference courses this year, Howell does not think making too many comparisons is helpful.

Instead he will be focusing on adapting his game to the different requirements of links golf from the Open De France.

“It’s a different course this year, last year was a lovely course, it’s what I would call a novelty links, a tourists’ links really,” said Howell.

“Royal Aberdeen is a classic links course, this is a proper test and obviously dependent on weather as to how it will it will play.

“This is a different test to last week, this week it’s down to the wind, the luck and bad luck of your bounces. It’s a completely different test, you can’t be precise as on a links course, it’s a different style of golf, I’ve played links all my life and I enjoy it and the challenge it poses.

“There is a similarity in that they (the Open and the Scottish Open) are both links.

“In that regard it is preparation, I just want to go out and win the Scottish Open, I’ve got to put some decent results together if I’m going to move up the order of merit.”

Howell thought he played pretty well last week in France and was let down by a coupe of bad streaks.

He’s also encouraged by the positive effects of the work he has been puttiing in on his swing.

“I played the course today and it’s in great shape. I played nicely today in the pro-am, much the same state of affairs to the last few week, I’m doing most things well, I know I’ve got to put it together for all four rounds.

“I played pretty well last week apart from two four hole stretches, it feels like sooner rather than later I’ll get that first good finish “You don’t win or get good results by swinging, you have to play golf, but I think I’m in pretty good order.”

Howell tees off today 6.50am with Marco Crespi and Marcel Siem.

Meanwhile, on the EuroPro Tour, Wrag Barn’s Ben Loughrey is struggling to make the cut at the Motocaddy Masters in Scotland.

Two triple bogeys costs Loughrey dear as he finished his first round on eight over par.