HOUSTON – Phil Mickelson has regained his form just in time to try and defend his Masters title, outduelling fellow American Scott Verplank down the stretch Sunday to capture the Houston Open. The 40-year-old Mickelson fired a seven-under 65 to win by three strokes and post his first title since winning the 2010 Masters.
“I am very pleased I played well,” said Mickelson, who finished at 20-under 268. “It feels really good for me to have played well and gained some momentum heading into next week. “I needed to have a week where I kind of put it together.” It was also his first win since announcing at last year’s PGA Championship that he suffers from psoriatic arthritis, which he controls with medication.
Verplank carded a 68 for 271, where he was joined by second-round leader Chris Kirk, who shot a fourth-round 67 at the $5.9 million tournament. Mickelson, who earned his 39th career title, is hoping history will repeat itself as he is the last player to win the week before achieving a Masters’ title. In 2006, Mickelson won the BellSouth Classic and then went on to take the green jacket.
The following year a schedule shift saw the Houston Open become the last Masters tune-up event. Asked if Sunday’s win made him the favourite for next week’s Masters, Mickelson replied, “I don’t think that is for me to say. I am just trying to get my game ready. “Next week at Augusta, that golf course can be very penalizing.” The victory also vaults Mickelson into third spot on the world ranking list, putting him four spots ahead of Tiger Woods who fell to No 7.
