The First Minister is travelling to America this week where he will take part in the Ryder Cup handover ceremony.

Alex Salmond plans to meet business leaders in Chicago during the lead up to the golf competition between Europe and the United States.

Held every two years, the event will take place in September 2014 on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Perthshire.

Europe are the current competition holders, having triumphed at Celtic Manor in Wales in 2010.

Mr Salmond will receive the silver putter during the handover ceremony at the close of play at the Medinah Country Club near Chicago on Sunday, which marks Scotland taking over preparations for 2014.

The First Minister estimates the Scottish economy will benefit by up to £100m from hosting the tournament, which is to take place in the same year as Glasgow stages the Commonwealth Games.

He said: "This trade mission to Chicago will focus on benefiting the Scottish economy both on and off the golf course. In 2014, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland, the home of golf, as two great sporting events are played out across the country. The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will showcase our ability to host world-class events to a global audience.

"This visit to Chicago is an excellent opportunity to attract tourism and investment into Scotland in advance of Gleneagles 2014 and we'll be welcoming the world with open arms."

He added: "We expect the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles to generate £100m for the Scottish economy and 45,000 spectators per day will be expected through the gates. To maximise all of this potential, it is essential that we deliver the biggest event in the golfing calendar to the best of our ability."

Mr Salmond is expected to meet business leaders and deliver a keynote speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He will also undertake a number of cultural engagements during his visit, including attending a performance of the traditional music festival Celtic Connections.

However, David McLetchie, constitutional spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, slammed the First Minister's trip. He said: "Alex Salmond has once again been caught out globetrotting around the world at the taxpayers' expense. Boosting Scotland's economy should be his number one priority rather than his obsession to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK."