It's been touted for a few years and it now looks likely that the Scottish Open will be heading to Donald Trump's links course at Balmedie on the outskirts of Aberdeen, writes Nick Rodger.

Reports swirling around yesterday stated that the domestic showpiece would be staged at Trump International in 2017, 2019 and 2020 although Peter Adams, the championship director of the Scottish Open, refused to confirm anything when pressed on the subject.

"The situation is that we are talking to a number of golf clubs and Trump International is one that we are talking to," he said. "We haven't come to a firm decision yet."

Given that the Scottish Open's title sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management, are keen to take the event back to the Granite City again - it was staged at Royal Aberdeen last year - it would appear to be an inevitable move although hosting the tournament at the same course for three out of four years would take away from the rotational nature of the tournament, a well-received aspect that those involved with the Scottish Open have been keen to foster.

The Scottish Open will return to Castle Stuart near Inverness next year while a venue in the west of the country is still being sought for the 2018 championship, providing the deal with Trump is confirmed.