Mickelson wins Masters tuneup in Houston

HUMBLE, Texas --- Phil Mickelson, the defending champion at the Masters Tournament, outdueled Scott Verplank on Sunday to win the Houston Open by three shots, his first victory since earning his third green jacket last April.

"It feels really good for me to have played well and gained some momentum heading into next week," he said. "I needed to have a week where I kind of put it together."

Mickelson shot 7-under 65, the lowest closing score by a winner this year, to finish at 20-under.

He was 16-under over his final 36 holes after tying the course record with 63 on Saturday, his lowest round in two years. He won for the fifth consecutive time when he has shot 64 or better in at least one round.

"I've been saying all year, 'I'm playing well, but I'm not getting the scores out of it, and I'm just kind of having a lapse of focus,' " he said. "It was a great week in that regard, and great for getting momentum heading in next week."

Tour rookie and second-round leader Chris Kirk (67) tied Verplank (68) at 17-under.

While many top players, including Tiger Woods and world No. 1 Martin Kaymer, sat out this week, Mickelson saw no disadvantage in coming. Anthony Kim won last year and finished third at the Masters.

"I think it's nothing but a plus to be able to gain some momentum," Mickelson said, "especially given that I haven't had the results and the scores that I wanted earlier in the year. It gives me a little bit of momentum."

Verplank needed a victory just to get to Augusta. The 46-year-old, with his sore left wrist wrapped in black tape, would have become the fifth-oldest champion in the past five years. He was making only his fourth start this year.

"It's nice that I hadn't forgotten how to play," he said.