In a pre-Augusta sweetner Shell Houston Open organisers have grouped last year’s U.S. Masters combatants, Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson together with defending champion Anthony Kim for the opening two rounds.

Westwood can move back to World No. 1 this week if he finishes first or second on the Redstone Golf Club course in suburban Humble.

Lee Westwood behind the 'mic' ahead of Shell Houston Open

The Englishman arrived in Houston having played the weekend at Augusta National and after finishing runner-up to Mickelson last year, Westwood is confident of going one place better next week.

“I’m playing well, my game is in good shape, all of it seems pretty sharp and I’m looking forward to this week and next week,” he said.

“This is generally the time of year I start to play fairly well and get in top form, and it’s a good time of year to be playing well.”

As well, Houston Open organisers have set up the host Redstone course much akin to what the game’s best will find at Augusta National.

“It’s always difficult to replicate Augusta because it is a unique golf course but the main point here is that the get the greens as quick as possible to Augusta, so much so that when you get to Augusta next week it’s not a big shock,” said Westwood.

“Also I am playing here in Houston as I like to be competitive going into the week of a Major sot that’s the reason why I play the Shell Houston Opn

“I will be playing the week of all the Major Championships this year because if I didn’t I could be rusty for even nine holes and that’s too much in a Major Championship.”

And to be better prepared for the Masters, Westwood has been toying with the idea of putting a new putter in his bag.

“I’ve been toying around with a new putter which I’ll use this week,” said Westwood.

“I haven’t been particularly happy over the first couple of months of the season with the old one but this one is a little bit easier to line-up because I have been struggling with the alignment.

“But I generally keep the same clubs in the bag and I may decide at the last minute whether or not to swap my 2-iron for a 5-iron. 

“Augusta is generally a 5-iron because you need to fly the ball in high.

“I’ve also been doing a bit of work with different bounces on sand irons and it’s nice to take a bit of bounce off the lob-wedge at Augusta with the lies you get and the firmness of the sand in the traps.”