Howell says best yet to come as title famine ends

Phil Casey

Howell carded a final round 65 at the BMW International Open for a 23-under-par total and his first title since the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999.

The 30-year-old finished one shot ahead of former British Open champion John Daly and Australian Brett Rumford, with Sweden's Niclas Fasth and Dane Soren Kjeldsen a shot further back.

"When I won back in 1999, I wasn't ready to be one of the best players in the world, I didn't have the game," admitted Howell, who played a crucial role in Europe's record Ryder Cup victory at Oakland Hills last year.

"But now I think the next 10 years of my career are going to be the best. As consistently as I have played the last two or three years, if you chuck in two wins a year I am going to be one of the top, top players.

"It has taken me a lot of hard work to get where I am today and I am looking forward to bigger and better things. I am ambitious but I am also patient.

"I have set sensible goals and I am slowly but surely working my way up the world rankings which is obviously a great barometer of how I am doing.

"I am delighted," said Howell, who was playing only his third event since a two-month lay-off with an abdominal injury he suffered at the US Open last June.

"I had become a very consistent player but with a very bare trophy cabinet, I was getting fed up putting pro-am trophies and shot of the month prizes in it. Now we have some proper silverware at last."

The £225,000 (330,487) winner's cheque also ensured Howell's place in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth next month with a first prize of £1 million (1.47m) along with Ireland's Paul McGinley who finished sixth after a closing 65.

"Getting in the match play is fantastic," added Howell, sixth last week in the NEC Invitation in Akron.

"I was looking good for it three months ago and then I was out for two months with my injury.

"It would have been a bitter pill to swallow, so to come back so strong after the injury is very pleasing and it's a wonderful thrill to play in such a big event. I feel like I have earned my place."