HUMBLE, Texas — Phil Mickelson is among the leaders after shooting a bogey-free 4-under par 68 in his opening round of the Houston Open Thursday, showing no effects of the muscle pull that forced him to withdraw from last week's Texas Open. The five-time major winner, who practiced at Augusta National for two days this week in advance of the Masters, is three shots back of leaders Bill Haas and Charley Hoffman — both who shot 7-under 65. Keegan Bradley and Matt Kuchar lead a group of five golfers at 6-under after Thursday's play. J.B. Holmes, Erik Compton and Jim Renner are also at 6-under, while 10 golfers are at 5-under. Former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, playing in the afternoon on the 7,441-yard Golf Club of Houston, finished with a 2-under 70— five shots back of the lead. World No. 10 Dustin Johnson withdrew after an 8-over 80. While Haas had five birdies on his back nine to earn a share of the lead, 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. “I'm surprised because I was worried about the Masters,” Mickelson said. “I was certainly worried about Houston, but it healed a lot quicker.” 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 form on Thursday. Opening on the back nine at the former Redstone Golf Club, which was renamed the Gold Club of Houston following an ownership change, Mickelson was bogey free despite needing 31 putts. His playing partners, Bradley and Webb Simpson, also were bogey free on the overcast and occasionally misty day. Feng takes lead China's Feng Shanshan fired a six-under par 66 Thursday to take a one-stroke first-round lead at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the LPGA season. South Korean Hall-of-Famer Pak Se-ri was tied for second with American Michelle Wie on five-under 67. South Korean Amy Yang and teenaged amateur Angel Yin of the United States shared fourth place on four-under 68, while South Korean Shin Ji-Yai, American Cristie Kerr and Jenny Rosales of the Philippines were tied on 69. World No. 1 and defending champion Park In-bee, who launched her remarkable run of three straight major titles in 2013 with victory in this event, struggled to a two-over 74 that left her tied for 46th. — Agencies
