Filed under: Golf
Phil Mickelson hit top form to win the Shell Houston Open and the American knows from first hand experience he needn't worry about peaking too soon ahead of the Masters.Mickelson followed up Saturday's 63 with a 65 on Sunday, at one point picking up six birdies in seven holes to finish three shots clear of Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk and move up to third in the world rankings.
It is the first time he has been above Tiger Woods, who slips to seventh, since 1997 but Mickelson's focus is trained exclusively on his trip to Augusta, where he is reigning champion.
The classy left-hander is one of only four people in the history of the game to win the Masters the week after a victory -- a feat he managed in 2006 - and he will have high hopes of picking up the fourth green jacket of his career.
Mickelson, who turns 41 in June, feels he can play even better if he improves his concentration but stopped short of talking up his chances at Augusta.
He admitted he was delighted to pick up a first win since last year's Masters victory. Asked about his chances in Augusta, he told Sky Sports: "It's not for me to say, I'm just trying to get my game ready and it's not just the physical ball-striking, short game and putting, I've got to maintain my focus throughout my round.
"There were two points on the final round where I lost my focus and I've got to keep that on every shot because at Augusta it can be very penalising.
The victory in Houston was even more poignant for Mickelson after his wife Amy and mother Mary received treatment for breast cancer in the city 2009.
"This has been a special place," he added. "We spent a lot of time in Houston so it's nice to be able to play well and spend a lot of time with the people who have helped us over the last couple of years."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/03/victory-in-houston-confirms-phil-mickelsons-masters-ambitions/
Javier Mascherano Javier Zanetti Jeff Overton Jim Furyk Joe Cole
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