Phil Mickelson, the defending Masters champion, found timely form ahead of his return to Augusta with victory in the Houston Open.
With the first major championship of the year beginning this week, Mickelson sent out a statement of intent with a final-round 65 that included five birdies in a row to win the event at Redstone Golf Club in Texas.
The left hander finished three shots clear of fellow Americans Chris Kirk and Scott Verplank to pick up his first win since his 2010 Masters triumph.
Kirk signed for a 67 to earn his first top-two finish on the PGA Tour, and Verplank finished with 68.
During Saturday's third round, Mickelson shot his lowest total in two years, tying the course record with a nine-under-par 63.
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The win sees Mickelson move up to No 3 in the world rankings, while Tiger Woods drops to No 7. It is the first time Mickelson has been ahead of Woods in the world rankings since the week before Woods won the 1997 Masters.
Mickelson is the last player to win a tournament in the week prior to a Masters victory, capturing the Bell South Classic in 2006 before earning his second green jacket. The Houston Open became the run-up event to Augusta in 2007.