PGA Results: 2011 Houston Open
Yes it is finally Masters week, the week every golfer looks forward to each year. But we have some unfinished business from the weekend to cover first, and some relates to the Masters.
Mickelson wins Houston Open
The Houston Open final pairing featured Phil Mickelson and Scott Verplank. Mickelson was fresh off a course record tying 63 on Saturday while Verplank had posted two consecutive 65's on Friday and Saturday.
Phil started out the final round with a wayward approach to the first hole, but being the short game magician he is chipped in for birdie. Not to be outdone Verplank made a birdie putt on the same hole. Game on.
Verplank and Mickelson traded punches 2/3 of the day just like that, similar to two heavyweight boxers pounding on each other without going down. They separated from the field a bit for a while, but some players closed the gap like Chris Kirk, Steve Stricker and Aaron Baddeley.
The 46 year old Verplank started to falter a bit down the stretch and eventually Mickelson opened up a three shot lead in the final holes, sealing the victory.
Mickelson will no doubt be the favorite to win the 2011 Masters and successfully defend his 2010 victory.
Along with this victory, Phil Mickelson ascends in the world rankings past Tiger Woods to #3 behind Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood. Woods falls to #7 from #5.
LPGA - Major breakthough for Stacy Lewis at the Kraft Nabisco
The LPGA's first major tournament of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, was contested this past week at the Mission Hills Country Club, Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, CA.
Stacy Lewis opened the tournament with a 66, tied for 1st with her friend Brittany Lincicome and never looked back. Subsequent rounds of 69-71-69 gave Lewis a three shot victory over #1 ranked Yani Tseng, who shot a 74 in the final round.
