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HUMBLE, TEXAS (AP) -- Phil Mickelson outdueled Scott Verplank on Sunday to win the Houston Open, his first victory since last year's Masters.

The win moved Mickelson's world ranking to No. 3, while Tiger Woods dropped to No. 7. It's the first time Mickelson has been ahead of Woods in the rankings since the week before Woods won the 1997 Masters.

Mickelson shot a 65 in the final round to finish 20-under par, three ahead of Verplank (68) and second-round leader Chris Kirk (67).

Lefty is hoping he can repeat some history at Augusta this week. He's the last player to win the week prior to a Masters victory, capturing the BellSouth Classic in 2006 before earning his second green jacket. The Houston Open became the run-up event to Augusta in 2007.

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