Classy Howell strolls to win
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.
He shot scores of 72, 70, 68 and 71 for seven under and a share of sixth, worth €112,540. The equivalent number of Ryder Cup points, however, have done little or nothing where his Ryder Cup status is concerned as he remains 13th on the European list with 793,726 points and almost certainly needs to double that figure to guarantee his place.
Howell’s triumph takes him to 10th in the world rankings, the highest position of his career so far, and it was his second of the season, coming on top of the HSBC Champions tournament, in which he again led going into the final round and held off Tiger Woods down the stretch on the final day. He moves to the top of the European Ryder Cup points table and is running away with the order of merit, having already this campaign banked a total of €1,789,097.
If there is a more popular member of the European Tour, I’m not aware of who it might be, for Howell combines an unassuming and amenable outlook on life with a quiet, dry humour.
“I don’t go around thinking I’m a great player, but the rankings don’t lie so I might as well believe it,” he grinned. “This morning, I hit it best of the week on the practice range and on the 1st hole I knocked a two iron to 12 feet and a birdie came at the next and that was a great sight for me. It meant I was carrying on to the course what I’d been doing on the range and really set up my day.”
Harrington bemoaned the number of chances he was unable to accept on a calm and pleasant afternoon and accepts that he is becoming more aware of his precarious Ryder Cup situation. It would have been even worse were it not for a strong finish at the 17th, where he hammered two superb woods to 12 feet, although he had to sink a yard putt back to make his birdie. He now takes a week off before going to the US for the defence of the Barclays Westchester Classic, the US Open and the Booz Allen Classic.
“I’m doing the same thing every week, thinking one shot better would be twice the points,” Harrington said. “It sums me up at the moment... missed a short putt at 16, good chances on 12, 15 and 17, missed a tiddler on 11. That just scared the life out of me.”
Inevitably, the Ryder Cup situation is preying on Harrington’s mind, and he still intends to give it his very best shot to get in automatically to Ian Woosnam’s team. Accordingly, he will play the French Open immediately on his return from the US.
Peter Lawrie closed with 71 for a total of three under par for 25th and a cheque for €35,912 and moves up two places to 54th in the European Tour order of merit, with €209,829. But Graeme McDowell remains a big disappointment. He needed 76 shots yesterday and duly fell back to two over and a tie for 47th. He earned €19,950 to stand 87th in the order of merit with €135,882.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
