Golf: Three Major Champions Two Strokes Back in Houston

By Les Bailey | Mar 31, 2013

Aug. 5, 2012; Akron, OH, USA; Jim Furyk (foreground), Louis Oosthuizen (center) and Keegan Bradley (back) walk to the 3rd green during the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club-South Course. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

Other than Stewart Cink, who won the 2009 British Open, there are three more former major champions lurking at The Shell Houston Open, just two strokes back, and ready to pounce if the leaders start making bogeys. 2010 British Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, 2011 PGA Champion, Keegan Bradley, and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera are at -9 under par. Cabrera won the 2007 US Open at Oakmont, and a Green Jacket in 2009 at Augusta.

The 30-year-old Oosthuizen, from Mossel Bay, South Africa shot a bogey free -7 under par 65 on Saturday and moved into a tie for seventh place. Oosthuizen was the 54-hole leader in the Houston Open last year, and lost in a playoff at Augusta to Bubba Watson.

Keegan Bradley had his putter going for the first time this year, and got it to -6 under on his round before he made a bogey at the 18th hole. The 18th hole at the Redstone Golf Course was the most difficult hole on Saturday, playing to an average of 4.139. It yielded only nine birdies on Saturday to 15 bogeys or worse. Keegan doubled up on birdies twice, at 12 and 13, and again at 15 and 16 before giving one back at 18.

Angel Cabrera shot a -3 under 69, with his only bogey coming at the par five 13th hole. Former PLAYERS champion Henrik Stenson (68), who is one round away from playing his way into the Masters through being top 50 in the world is also in the group at -9 under, and only two strokes back.

Phil Mickelson is in a group of six players at -6 under par, and only four strokes off of the pace, and with a realistic chance for a win. Lefty seemed to have his game going again on Saturday, and has thrown his hat into the ring for a Texas win. Mickelson’s game has been pretty up and down as of late, but he got it going on Saturday. He put up seven birdies, including one at the 18th hole, and was a bogey at the par three 14th hole away from a great round. Mickelson has a lot of bodies to get over, but he has the game, and pedigree to get a win here. All he needs is a little bit of luck, and a hot putter.

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