That's me » I dont think theres any better way to prepare

HUMBLE, Texas -- Phil Mickelson has never shied away from suspense, though its usually limited to his play. Custom Jerseys China . The four-time major winner, who withdrew from last weeks Texas Open after pulling a muscle in his right side, waited as long as possible to end the guessing about whether he would play this week ahead of the Masters. Mickelson finally announced his intentions to indeed play at this weeks Houston Open on Wednesday afternoon through a post on his website. The decision came after two days of "light practice" at Augusta National, where Mickelson said his side "felt sore as opposed to hurting." "I feel that to give myself the best chance at the Masters I have to play in Houston," Mickelson said. "If I thought I would injure myself further I would have withdrawn from the tournament, but the last few days have been good." Mickelson didnt play in Wednesdays pro-am, fueling speculation that he might withdraw from the tournament he won in 2011. However, tournament director Steve Timms said that had been planned for six weeks -- long before his injury. Timms said Mickelson had already agreed to take part in a sponsor dinner rather than play in the pro-am. The worlds No. 5 player helped solidify the Houston Opens spot as a preferred Masters tuneup by committing to play in 2008 and every year since. He finished 16th last year. Mickelsons return to the 7,441-yard Golf Club of Houston -- formerly known as Redstone Golf Club before an ownership change -- highlights a stellar field that features the winners of 34 major championships. Its a field that includes Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia, among others, as well as defending champion D.A. Points. First and foremost, theyre after the winners share of the $6.4 million event -- while also using the courses slick greens and tight rough to prepare for the Masters. After a schedule change last year, the tournament is back in its normal slot. And thats just fine with McIlroy, who tied for 45th at the event last year while still in the infant stages of a club change. "Its brilliant," McIlroy said. "They get the fairway heights the same, the rough heights the same, the runoff around the greens ... Its perfect for that." McIlroy finished 19th at the Houston Open in 2009 before missing the cut a year later. The former world No. 1 was winless on the PGA Tour last year, though he has been trending upward since -- including a win over Adam Scott in the Australian Open in December. He finished second at the Honda Classic last month before tying for 25th at Doral. McIlroy took the last three weeks off leading into the Houston Open-- a big change from last year when he decided to play the Texas Open only days ahead of time. Even with Augusta National looming, McIlroy said hes fully focused on competing this week. "I think its important to finish well," McIlroy said. "I dont think theres any better way to prepare than getting yourself into contention and playing golf under pressure, because thats ultimately what you want to do next week." Points sank a 13-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to win last year, winning by one stroke over Stenson and Billy Horschel. The American hasnt finished higher than 28th this year, including missed cuts in each of his last two tournaments, but his confidence is high this week. "Knowing that Ive had success here, and its cool to be out there," Points said. "Makes you feel like, Hey, I can do that again." Mickelson tees off Thursday morning with Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, with the threesome of Texas native Jimmy Walker, Stenson and Matt Kuchar behind them. McIlroys threesome with Dustin Johnson and Luke Donald begins in the afternoon, followed immediately by a group including Jordan Spieth, Garcia and Steve Stricker. Authentic Custom Jerseys . Matt Carkner got back into the Ottawa lineup, and made his presence felt right away by settling his clubs score in a one-sided fight with Rangers forward Brian Boyle. Custom Jerseys Adidas . Her return engagement begins tonight as TSN presents Day 1 coverage of the 2015 event from Melbourne. Watch Eugenie Bouchards opening round match at the Australian Open live tonight on TSN5 at 3am et/Midnight pt. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/ . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias.Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Kane tallied two goals and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 5-2, on Saturday. Brandon Saad, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp all scored and Jonathan Toews supplied two assists for the Blackhawks, who bounced back from a 5-1 loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday. Corey Crawford turned aside 23-of-25 shots. Nathan MacKinnon and Erik Johnson each lit the lamp and Calvin Pickard allowed four goals on 32 shots for the Avalanche, who had a three-game winning streak come to an end. Their power play was the difference in the game, Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy said. We had our chances to get back in that game, but we didnt manage the puck well. With the game tied at 2-2, Seabrook stepped up into the right circle and unleashed a slap shot over the arm of Pickard to give Chicago the lead with 6:46 remaining in the second period. (Seabrook) was probably the one guy that turned it around, Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said. I think the offense is coming because hes been defending so well. Toews hard work on the forecheck alllowed Sharp to gather a loose puck and extend the Blackhawks advantage with a quick wrister in front at 8:14 of the third. Custom Jerseys Nike. The Avalanche were unable to capitalize on a 40-second 5-on-3 advantage midway through the final stanza. Kane capped the scoring on an empty-net goal with five seconds to play. MacKinnon started the scoring by racing through the neutral zone and firing a shot from the top of the right circle past Crawford 6:56 into the contest. Saad tied the game just 31 seconds later. Toews emerged from behind the net with the puck and slid it over to Saad, who beat Pickard with a wrister. Johnsons heavy slapper from the edge of the right circle put the Avalanche back in front at 8:53. Kane tipped Duncan Keiths point blast over the shoulder of Pickard to tie the game again with 3:41 left in the first. Game Notes The Blackhawks are 12-2-0 when Kane scores a goal ... Kane has six goals an seven assists in his past eight games ... Johnson extended his goal streak to four straight games ... The two teams will next play on Jan. 6 in Chicago. ' ' '