Thanks, mom! D.A. Points uses his mom's old putter and takes Houston Open lead

HUMBLE, Texas – The putter D.A. Points once took from his mother paid off nicely for him Thursday in the Houston Open.

Points opened with five straight birdies and wound up with an 8-under 64 to take the lead at Redstone Golf Club among the early starters in the first round. He had a one-shot lead over Cameron Tringale on a pleasant morning of only moderate wind.

Points first borrowed the Ping Anser from his mother during his junior days. He asked the company to clean it up for him, and then got a quick putting lesson — no, not from Steve Stricker — before the opening round. He birdied half of his holes.

Phil Mickelson was at 4 under until he lost four shots on his final four holes for a 72.