Howell ends wait for win

RYDER CUP star David Howell yesterday claimed a long overdue second European Tour title in the BMW International Open.

Howell carded a final round 65 in Munich for a 23 under par total and his first victory 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.

Overnight leader Luke Donald slumped to a 73 to drop into a share of 11th place.

Howell, who lost back-to-back play-offs in the British Masters and Irish Open earlier this year, began the final round a shot behind playing partner Donald and three-putted the third for a bogey.

But he then embarked on a stunning run of eight birdies in 10 holes from the fifth to move into a lead he would never relinquish.

Daly, who fired a final round 64, had the chance to possibly force a play-off but missed from five feet for birdie on the 18th, leaving Howell the luxury of par at the final three holes for victory.

A poor approach to the 16th which almost span back into the water and a short par putt which “did a lap of honour” before dropping in gave Howell a few anxious moments, but he safely two-putted the 18th to seal victory.

“I’m delighted,” said Howell, playing only his third event since a two-month lay-off with an abdominal injury he suffered at the US Open.

“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.

“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. But now I think the next 10 years of my career are going to be the best.”

The €330,000 winner’s cheque ensured Howell’s place in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth next month - with a first prize of €1.45 million - along with Ireland’s Paul McGinley who finished sixth after a closing 65.

Daly, who was 27 under par in winning here in 2001, was left to rue some bad luck on the 18th as he failed to birdie the 568-yard par five for the first time all week.

“I hit a three wood off the tee and can’t believe it went through the fairway,” he said. “I hit a good three-iron and then hit a divot on my chip and misread the putt.

“It seems like on Thursday and Friday I don’t get off to a good enough start yet my weekends have been phenomenal. It would be nice to get it done every day.”

Earlier in the day England’s Simon Dyson had set the clubhouse target at 19 under with a round of 62 which would have equalled the course record but for the preferred lies in operation.