HUMBLE, Texas -- Phil Mickelson has never shied away from su

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HUMBLE, Texas -- Phil Mickelson has never shied away from suspense, though its usually limited to his play. Adidas Superstars Sale Cheap . The four-time major winner, who withdrew from last weeks Texas Open after pulling a muscle in his right side, waited as long as possible to end the guessing about whether he would play this week ahead of the Masters. Mickelson finally announced his intentions to indeed play at this weeks Houston Open on Wednesday afternoon through a post on his website. The decision came after two days of "light practice" at Augusta National, where Mickelson said his side "felt sore as opposed to hurting." "I feel that to give myself the best chance at the Masters I have to play in Houston," Mickelson said. "If I thought I would injure myself further I would have withdrawn from the tournament, but the last few days have been good." Mickelson didnt play in Wednesdays pro-am, fueling speculation that he might withdraw from the tournament he won in 2011. However, tournament director Steve Timms said that had been planned for six weeks -- long before his injury. Timms said Mickelson had already agreed to take part in a sponsor dinner rather than play in the pro-am. The worlds No. 5 player helped solidify the Houston Opens spot as a preferred Masters tuneup by committing to play in 2008 and every year since. He finished 16th last year. Mickelsons return to the 7,441-yard Golf Club of Houston -- formerly known as Redstone Golf Club before an ownership change -- highlights a stellar field that features the winners of 34 major championships. Its a field that includes Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia, among others, as well as defending champion D.A. Points. First and foremost, theyre after the winners share of the $6.4 million event -- while also using the courses slick greens and tight rough to prepare for the Masters. After a schedule change last year, the tournament is back in its normal slot. And thats just fine with McIlroy, who tied for 45th at the event last year while still in the infant stages of a club change. "Its brilliant," McIlroy said. "They get the fairway heights the same, the rough heights the same, the runoff around the greens ... Its perfect for that." McIlroy finished 19th at the Houston Open in 2009 before missing the cut a year later. The former world No. 1 was winless on the PGA Tour last year, though he has been trending upward since -- including a win over Adam Scott in the Australian Open in December. He finished second at the Honda Classic last month before tying for 25th at Doral. McIlroy took the last three weeks off leading into the Houston Open-- a big change from last year when he decided to play the Texas Open only days ahead of time. Even with Augusta National looming, McIlroy said hes fully focused on competing this week. "I think its important to finish well," McIlroy said. "I dont think theres any better way to prepare than getting yourself into contention and playing golf under pressure, because thats ultimately what you want to do next week." Points sank a 13-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to win last year, winning by one stroke over Stenson and Billy Horschel. The American hasnt finished higher than 28th this year, including missed cuts in each of his last two tournaments, but his confidence is high this week. "Knowing that Ive had success here, and its cool to be out there," Points said. "Makes you feel like, Hey, I can do that again." Mickelson tees off Thursday morning with Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, with the threesome of Texas native Jimmy Walker, Stenson and Matt Kuchar behind them. McIlroys threesome with Dustin Johnson and Luke Donald begins in the afternoon, followed immediately by a group including Jordan Spieth, Garcia and Steve Stricker. Adidas Superstar Cheap China .Y. - DeMarre Carroll felt as though he couldnt miss in the second quarter as he outscored the Brooklyn Nets 14-13 all by himself. Adidas Superstar Wholesale China . He says he will have the operation Wednesday and be ready in time for training camp in September. Bernier missed five games in March due to the injury. http://www.cheapsuperstar.net/ . Louis second-period goal increased the New York Rangers lead but Dustin Brown has countered for the Los Angeles Kings who now trail the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden.CALGARY -- Although she wasnt pleased with her time, Ottawas Ivanie Blondin skated well enough to win the womens 5,000 metres at the Canadian Olympic speedskating trials on Friday. "I was really nervous for it," said Blondin, who finished in a time of seven minutes 18.45 seconds to win the race by less than half a second. "Im a little surprised with the time and disappointed. It shouldnt have been that close and I shouldnt have skated probably one of the worst times Ive skated in like two years." Blondin finished ahead of Edmontons Nicole Garrido, who had a time of 7:18.87, and Josie Spence of Kamloops, B.C., at 7:23.24. "I wouldnt say I skated really well, but Im obviously happy that I came out on top today," Blondin said. "I think its kind of a miracle that I did." Blondins result will be good enough to earn her a spot to compete for Canada in the 5,000 metres at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, according to Sean Ireland, Speed Skating Canadas long-track program director. "She would be the first person in that provisional quota spot," Ireland said. Canadas team, which will consist of 10 women and eight men for all disciplines, will be officially announced on Jan. 22. Four years ago Blondin competed at both the short-track and long-track speedskating Olympic trials, but failed to earn a spot to compete at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. "I developed ulcers in my stomach because I was so nervous and stressed out," said Blondin, who finished second in the 3,000 metres on the first day of the Olympic trials last Saturday. "This time around its been a lot better, but its still stressful. "Sometimes I feel like the general public doesnt really realize how much stress you put on your body when you go through these Olympic trials. Its nice to watch and see and everything, but being in it Ive probably got like five grey hairs from this, even though Im 23." Blondin will now take a couple days to relax before heading to Tucson, Arizona to attend a pre-Olympic training camp. "I think itll be nice to get away and relax and just calm down aa little bit from these Olympic trials," she said, adding that she doesnt think she will battle as many nerves in Sochi. Adidas Superstar Wholesale. "Now that the Olympic trials are over and just being at the Games, Ill have a lot less pressure because realistically I dont have anything to lose when Im there." While Blondin believes she did enough to qualify to compete for Canada in three events (5,000 metres, 3,000 metres and womens team pursuit) in Sochi, Torontos Jordan Belchos will have to wait to find out his fate after winning the mens 10,000 metres with a time of 13:24.96 on Friday. Winnipegs Stefan Waples finished second in 13:53.65, while Francois Dery of St. Jean Chrysostome, Que., placed third at 13:58.30. Whether Belchos gets to compete for Canada at the Games depends on what other countries do, said Ireland. "Currently we do not have a quota spot for the Olympics themselves in the 10,000 metres," Ireland said. "We have the first reserve spot, so if another country declines a 10,000 spot, well then theres a chance that we might be able to fill that depending on our own quotas." Belchos said hed rather be in a state of limbo, than not have any chance at all to compete at the Winter Olympics. "Id rather be in this situation than be out," he said. "I dont know what the chances are or anything like that. Im just trying to skate and be prepared if that happens." Thats the right attitude for Belchos to have, Ireland said. "My advice would be to train and prepare knowing that theres a chance," said Ireland, adding that he should know whether another country declines a spot in the 10,000 by mid-January. "Its slim chance at that." Until he finds out his fate, Belchos said that he will continue his usual training regimen. "The next two weeks for me are just about getting away from skating and just training to be an Olympian, but knowing it could not happen," he said. "Im in a position where if it doesnt happen, its almost what I expect. If it does, it would be a pleasant surprise. Its tough to be in such a weird spot." ' ' '