Shell Houston Open 2012: Phil Mickelson and Stars to Watch in Masters Tune Up

You thought the stars of the PGA Tour would be taking a break before the Masters?

Think again!

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy won't be partaking in the Shell Houston Open, but that doesn't mean there won't be any action worth watching at the Tournament Course at Redstone this weekend.

31 of the players in the field will be plying their trade in preparation for the first major championship of the season before making their way down to Augusta National.

Including these three stars, each of whom will be gunning for that No. 1 spot atop the leader board on Sunday.

Phil Mickelson

Of all the possible participants, you'd think Phil Mickelson would be the most likely to take a pre-Masters primer with a grain of salt, seeing as how he already has three Green Jackets hanging in his closet back in Rancho Santa Fe.

That's hardly the case, though, what with Lefty returning to Houston to defend his turf. Mickelson won this event last year with a final-round 65, beating out Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk by three strokes.

Mickelson's lost some of his early-season mojo—following up a win at Pebble Beach and a second-place finish at the Northern Trust Open with an extended vacation—but shouldn't have too much trouble building it back up on a course and at an event with which he's comfortable, before heading east to chase another major.

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood would relate all too well to the Mickelson of 2003.

Westwood has built up a strong track record of success, winning 35 events worldwide, but seems to always found himself as the proverbial bridesmaid at majors. The 38-year-old Briton posted two runner-up finishes in top events in 2010, followed by two more top-10s in 2011 while nearly climbing back to No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings.

Westy's only won twice on the PGA Tour in his career, but will be out for victory No. 3 as he gets back in gear for another tough tourney at Augusta. 

Charl Schwartzel

Where Westwood has come close, Charl Schwartzel has triumphed. The 27-year-old South African picked up a green jacket in 2011 after closing out the Masters with four birdies in a row.

Schwartzel finished tied for 30th at the Shell the week prior, though few figure to overlook him completely, as they did heading into last year's trip to Augusta. Aside from the fact that he's the defending champ, Schwartzel has been on top of his game this season, snatching two top-fives in four events played.

Schwartzel will need to keep that roll going in Houston this weekend if he's going to have the confidence and the momentum needed to fend off a loaded field at the Masters.

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