Shell Houston Open 2012: Phil Mickelson Poised to Win with Tiger Woods Absent

Defending Shell Houston Open champion Phil Mickelson is poised to ride a repeat victory at rainy Redstone into next weekend's Masters at Augusta. 

Mickelson sits nine shots under (par) after two rounds, and tied for fourth in a field of less accomplished golfers that doesn't include Tiger Woods, last weekend's winner at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Louis Oosthuizen and Brian Davis are tied for the lead after two rounds, but are just two strokes ahead of Mickelson, which is hardly enough considering Lefty shot an impressive seven-under (-par) 65 on Thursday, tied for the weekend's best round.

As already mentioned, Mickelson won the event in Humble, Texas in 2011, posting incredible third and final round scores of 63 and 65, respectively, to take the tournament by three strokes.

Meanwhile, the current leaders Oosthuizen and Davis, finished tied for 16th and 48th, respectively, at last year's event.

Mickelson has a mighty advantage this time around, though, as the suddenly hot Tiger Woods prepares for the season's biggest tournament next weekend.

Not only does that make Mickelson the most feared competitor at the Houston Open this weekend, but the hottest as he's playing superb golf and already at the top of the leaderboard.

Mickelson won't have to pull off a miracle in the final rounds to take home the title in 2012, just two more solid rounds.

Mickelson has only bogeyed three holes through the first half of the tournament, and has relied on dependable birdies throughout. Mickelson had five bogeys and one double bogey through the first two rounds at the Houston Open in 2011, and recorded just two bogeys in the final 36 holes to win it all.

With the field missing the sizzling Tiger Woods, fellow American Phil Mickelson is poised to recapture his title at Redstone this weekend and ride a wave of momentum into the Masters.