MARK Warburton has revealed how he warmed up for the start of the new season with a sporting masterclass from Open leader Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon.

Keen golfer Warburton was invited down to the Ayrshire venue for the final practice round on Wednesday by Open competitor and Gers supporter Marc Warren.

The Englishman, who was accompanied by his assistant Davie Weir and new signing Joey Barton, found himself walking inside the ropes with American superstar Mickelson.

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The left hander, who lifted the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013, is leading at the halfway stage and has a great chance to land his sixth Major tomorrow.

Glasgow Times: Loving the weather... Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon

Warburton is unsurprised the Californian is doing so well after seeing him in action at close quarters as he prepared for golf’s greatest tournament this week.

Warburton said: “Marc told us: ‘I’m playing with Steve Stricker and Thomas Pieters’. I thought: ‘That’ll be great to watch!’

“Then he said: ‘I think Phil Mickelson might join us’. We walked around with him, chatted to him, had pictures taken with him. It was top drawer.

“He was great. They all were. Steve Stricker too. It was amazing how good they were and their knowledge of the game. Phil gave Steve Stricker a lesson in chipping. It was unbelievable. The practice day was great. I enjoyed it.

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“The blade on his wedge was sharpened like a knife. You could cut your finger on it it’s so sharp. Then he has this special heel so when you smash it in the ground the ball just goes straight up in the air. He was teaching Stricker how to do it.”

Glasgow Times: 11/07/16 . IBROX . Football meets golf at Ibrox Stadium ahead of the 145th Open at Royal Troon. . Rangers manager Mark Warburton.

But the Rangers manager’s main focus this week has been on the opening Betfred Cup group game against Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon – a game which will come too early for Barton.

Warburton said: “There’s a few not ready to play yet who will have to be eased in. Joey’s not ready yet. He won’t play on Saturday, but he will be involved in the coming games.

“We will probably get him involved a little bit on Tuesday. Niko (Kranjcar) may be involved. We will maybe see a small involvement. Harry (Forrester) will do 45 minutes to an hour. But we are getting there.”

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He added: “We have to get on with it. There is nothing we can do about it. But in terms of being the best for the season ahead it is the worst possible. I can’t see what logic comes into playing the hardest game first. Why can’t it be the last game? It suits everyone.

“We are going to play these four teams anyway. We are going to play these lower league teams. The hardest game will be Motherwell v Rangers. So why don’t we make that the last game?”