Mahan and Olesen enjoy winning weekends

Hunter Mahan completed the perfect preparation for The Masters by winning the Shell Houston Open by a single shot from Carl Pettersson and jumping to number four in the world rankings.

The American produced a solid final round of 71 (one under par) at Redstone GC as overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen struggled to an opening nine of 41. He fought back on the inward half but his 75 left him two shots adrift of Mahan’s -16 total.

Pettersson would have earned a place at this week’s Masters if he’d won, but he could only match his 71 to finish alone in second.

Mahan’s second win of the season, following on from the WGC World Match Play Championship, also takes him to the top of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.

“I feel great,” said Mahan afterwards. “I had the lead for most of the back nine and hit some clutch shots.

“I’m playing good. I’m glad I’m going to Augusta – it’s really a special place and I’m looking forward to going there.”

On the European Tour, Thorbjorn Olesen clinched his maiden title at the Sicilian Open.

The Dane started the final round with a three-shot lead and, depstite a blistering 64 from Chris Wood, he never really looked in danger as he cruised to a 69 for a one-shot victory from the Englishman.

“I’m still in shock,” Olesen told Sky Sports. “I struggled early on with a bogey at the first but I’m really happy now.

“This means so much to me. My goal is to go all the way in this game. It will be tough because there are a lot of good players out here but this win is a big step in the right direction.”

Olesen, who had three runner-up finishes in his rookie season on the European Tour in 2011, jumps to 100 in the world rankings and 18th in the Race to Dubai.

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