Scottie Scheffler insists the Genesis Scottish Open is a "tournament that's important" to him as he prepares to tee off at the Renaissance Club.
The World Number One returns for his fourth start in North Berwick after missing last year's event and is keen for a strong performance.
He was in a tie for third on his last appearance in 2023, when Rory McIlory pipped home favourite Bob MacIntyre in a dramatic finish, and Scheffler believes winning on links golf in testing conditions, especially for a player from the United States, would be a "very special" achievement.
"There's definitely a certain aspect of getting preparation for next week, but definitely I am not looking at next week," Scheffler said.
"This is an important tournament for me, and this is a tournament I want to play well in. And if I wanted to just do preparation, I would have gone and played some other golf courses for fun. There's other ways to get prep than coming over and playing tournament golf.
"It was important for me to get over here. Like I said, tournament golf is a little bit different than just playing for fun. Being here in the right conditions and in the wind and getting used to the time and stuff like that.
"But by no means am I showing up at this tournament to prepare for next week. It's a tournament that's important for me and a tournament I'd like to play well in."
Scheffler added: "I think any time you're able to win a tournament on the PGA TOUR or DP World Tour, I think you've done something very special.
"It's very challenging to win out here. It would be very special to win at the home of golf and it's a different style of golf that we play throughout the year.
"So to be able to win a tournament on this golf course, or next week, says a lot about a player, especially if they are coming over from the States.
"Like I said, you have to hit a lot of different shots and do things that we don't normally do with golf in the States. I think it's really fun. It brings a new level of play to what we normally do."
Scheffler will play his opening two rounds with defending champion MacIntyre, who overcame his heartbreak in 2023 by birdieing the last to claim his home open last year, and former World Number One Adam Scott in an exciting group in East Lothian.
"Definitely excited for the week," the 29-year-old said. "Got a good pairing to start the first couple of days, and both guys played well in the tournament last year.
"Bob got a tough break two years ago with Rory birdieing the last two holes in pretty challenging conditions to beat him by one and for him to bounce back and win last year was nice for me to see, and I was happy for him.
"He's a guy that works really had hard, and he's one of the great guys out here. So it was nice to see him get it done at his home tournament."
