Phil Mickelson tunes up for the Masters with a timely title

Phil Mickelson signalled he was ready to defend his Masters title by snapping a year-long victory drought with a three-shot win at the Houston Open last night.

Mickelson shot a sizzling seven-under-par 65 in the final round at the Redstone Golf Club to pull away from compatriots Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk over the back nine and finish with a tournament-record winning total of 20-under-par 268.

For Mickelson, who put himself into contention on Saturday when he equalled the course record with a nine-under-par 63, the victory marked his 39th PGA Tour title. The left-hander will now head to Augusta, the season's first major, riding the momentum from his first victory since triumphing at the Masters in 2010.

Verplank, who started the day as joint-leader alongside Mickelson, had been working on a flawless round going six under through 13 to grab a two-shot lead but stumbled at the finish with bogeys at 14 and 16 to card a four-under-par 68.

Kirk closed with a five-under 67 to join Verplank in second on 17-under-par 271.

Mickelson rocketed into a share of the lead on Saturday. The American left-hander, five strokes off the pace overnight, rattled off nine birdies in a flawless display to end the day level with Verplank, who eagled the par-four 10th on the way to a 65. Australian Aaron Baddeley, bidding for his second PGA Tour victory this year, carded a 66 to share third place at 12 under with American Chris Kirk, the overnight leader, who shot a 69.

Defending champion Anthony Kim carded a 69 to share fifth place with Canadian David Hearn (66) at 11 under, two ahead of Ireland's Padraig Harrington who had been just one stroke off the lead before bogeying the last three holes for a 70.

Mickelson, who has not won on the PGA Tour since clinching his third Masters title at Augusta National last April, was elated after shooting his lowest score on the US circuit in more than two years.

"A fun round," the 40-year-said on Saturday after setting the tone for the day with three birdies in the first four holes. "I got off to a good start and was able to kind of maintain the momentum.

"I knew that I was close (to form] game-wise but I hadn't been putting together the score. To get a good round like this means a lot and I think it's good for me to be in that position heading into next week, too."