Phil Mickelson is three shots back at Houston Open

HOUSTON — Phil Mickelson did more than prove to just himself that he’s ready for next week’s Masters on Thursday.

The five-time major winner showed to everyone that he’s fully recovered from last week’s muscle pull and likely to be a factor in this week’s Houston Open as well.

Without so much as a practice round this week at the 7,441-yard Golf Club of Houston, Mickelson opened with a 4-under par 68 and was among the leaders following Thursday’s opening round.

The bogey-free performance was a far cry from last week when Mickelson was forced to withdraw during the third round in San Antonio after pulling a muscle in his right side

“I’m surprised because I was worried about the Masters,” Mickelson said. “I was certainly worried about Houston, but it healed a lot quicker. I felt great today; didn’t feel any pain or discomfort and didn’t even think about it.”

Mickelson is three shots back of first-round co-leaders Bill Haas and Charley Hoffman, both who finished at 7 under. Hass had five birdies on his back nine, while Hoffman needed just 27 putts to earn a share of the lead.

Keegan Bradley and Matt Kuchar lead a group of five golfers at 6 under. J.B. Holmes, Erik Compton and Jim Renner are also at 6 under, with 10 golfers are at 5 under.

Of the 144 players in the field, 113 finished at even par or under on an overcast and occasionally misty day.

“The greens are absolutely perfect,” Haas said. “… I think the scores are reflective on that. They were a little slower, but part of that, too, is the weather. It was like a little dewy mist out there all day, which played a part in the speed of the greens.”

Mickelson and Bradley were part of a threesome with Webb Simpson, who also finished 4 under. All three players in the group navigated the course without a bogey in their morning rounds.

Former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, playing in the afternoon and one of the five top-10 players in the world in the tournament, finished with a 2-under 70.

While Haas and Hoffman shared the lead after Thursday’s play, it was Mickelson — who was forced to withdraw during last week’s third round in San Antonio after pulling a muscle in his right side — who was the center of attention leading into next week at Augusta National.

Mickelson has won the Masters three times, the latest coming in 2010, but his status was in doubt following last week’s injury.

The left-hander, however, underwent treatment in the days following his departure from San Antonio — along with fitting in two days of light practice at Augusta National — and appeared in top ball-striking form on Thursday.

“One of the things I really worked on hard today was staying focused on each shot,” Mickelson said. “… I needed to play here this week and really challenge myself in that regard to give myself the best chance for next week.”