Hossler bummed but proud after playoff loss

HUMBLE, Texas – As the would-be winning putt tracked toward the hole, Beau Hossler raised his putter in anticipation of his first career PGA Tour victory. Instead, his breakthrough will have to wait.

Hossler’s 30-foot birdie attempt on the final hole of the Houston Open would have closed out Ian Poulter, but it just crept past the right edge while giving Poulter a perfect read on the upcoming 19-footer he had to tie. The Englishman made it to force a playoff, then won on the first extra hole after Hossler bladed his ball into the water from a greenside bunker.

“I said yesterday that I wanted to beat these guys at their best, and I think I saw Ian’s best today,” Hossler said. “It’s a bummer,…