Henley’s putter was on the mark

When Russell Henley rolled in a 44-foot birdie putt on the last hole Sunday to finish at 13-under 275, the Houston Open defending champion completed a 7-under 65 round that included 145 feet, 3 inches of total yardage of made putts in the final round.

On Saturday, Henley’s made putts over 18 holes totaled only 48 feet, 2 inches.

His 44-foot bomb on the 18th hole Sunday was his longest made putt of the tournament.

“It was tracking, it held the line nicely,” said Henley, who shared eighth place. “Right down at the hole, it actually breaks a little bit back towards the back of the green. It started out breaking left and then it breaks a little back to the right. So it did what I thought it was going to do and it’s sweet to make a putt like that.”

Mickelson big fan of Houston event

Phil Mickelson knows the tradition of the Houston Open and what the longstanding PGA Tour event, as well as the Houston Golf Association, mean to the community.

The Houston Open, currently looking for a title sponsor, is a tournament Mickelson has been loyal to for years and is appreciative of what the tournament has meant to him personally and professionally.

“I know all the players certainly have loved coming here,” said Mickelson, who won here in 2011 and who shared 24th this year at 10 under. “We’ve enjoyed the community involvement, and we’ve enjoyed the charitable contributions that his tournament provides, especially now in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

“And from a golf tournament, it’s got a lot of history here. So I’m hoping that as much good as the Houston Golf Association does, as much good as this tournament does, I’m hopeful that we’ll find a sponsor to step up and continue this strong event.”

Odds and ends

Beau Hossler started his final round with seven consecutive pars before making his first of five birdies on the round at No. 8 and four consecutive later on holes 12-15. … Aside from Saturday’s third-round 75,

Bronson Burgoon of The Woodlands had a positive week, finishing at 10 under after a 4-under 68 in the final round. Burgoon played junior golf in tournaments conducted by the Houston Golf Association. … In his sixth start at the Houston Open, Jordan Spieth offset a bogey at the par-4 10th hole with five birdies and an eagle-3 at No. 4 to post a 6under 66 that was good for a share of third place with Emiliano Grillo. Spieth sank a 29-foot par putt on 18 to claim the top-five finish. … Grillo’s finish is his best since a tie for second at the 2016 The Northern Trust. … Sam Ryder, the last player in the field when Vaughn Taylor withdrew, finished fifth and earned $280,000.