Classy Howell strolls to win

A CLASSY guy and a classy golfer, that’s David Howell, who yesterday cruised to a convincing victory and a cheque for €708,330 in the BMW PGA Championship.

It was simply a stroll through the elegant Surrey countryside for the 30-year-old from Swindon who carried a three-shot advantage into the final round and doubled that to six without the slightest sign of an attack from his nearest pursuers. He shot rounds of 68, 65, 69 and 69 for a superb 17 below total of 271 to prove that the once feared Burma Road, drastically overhauled and lengthened by Wentworth resident Ernie Els, still held no terrors for the cream of European golf.

Runner-up was another Englishman, Simon Khan, but it was a disappointing day for Spain’s Miguel-Angel Jimenez, who had pushed himself into the reckoning with a 65 on Saturday. This time, though, he could manage only two birdies and they came at the 4th and 12th, both reachable par fives. It was very much the same for Ireland’s big hope Padraig Harrington, who also looked set for a large chunk of Ryder Cup points when a 68 on Saturday moved him into contention for a top three finish but he squandered a succession of chances on the greens yesterday before restoring morale with a pair of birdies at the 17th and 18th.