Howell in control as McGinley lies fifth

A surprisingly calm David Howell stayed in control of his own destiny today as the Ryder Cup race matched the weather and hotted up.

Howell is eighth in the battle for the 10 automatic places in Europe’s side and with only 24 hours to go before everything is settled is under pressure from four players – Ian Poulter, Paul McGinley and Swedes Fredrik Jacobson and Joakim Haeggman.

It is all set to be a thrilling and dramatically close finish, but Howell’s 67 for an eight-under-par total of 208 kept him on course to clinch his debut.

“I was remarkably relaxed,” said the Swindon golfer, who as he waited to see how the others finished the day was five strokes behind new leader – and hopefully his team-mate next month – Thomas Levet.

Earlier, Ireland's Graeme McDowell accepted he had become another faller in the cup chase when he managed “only” a 69.

McDowell was the rank outsider of all those still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe’s team because he had to win the final counting event - and even then he knew it might not be enough.

But after making it through the cut right on the limit of level par the 25-year-old from Portrush stayed deep in the pack and resigned himself to having to wait another two years at least.

“I’m not going to beat myself up. The big plus I take away from this season is that I know how realistic the Ryder Cup is for me now,” said the former Walker Cup amateur.

10th-placed Paul McGinley resumed today in joint 11th place on six under and did his cause a power of good with birdies at the fifth, sixth, ninth and 12th to climb to 10 under and joint sixth.

He was trying to make life as tough as possible not only for those still able to catch him – Jacobson and Haeggman and also France’s Raphael Jacquelin – but also Howell just ahead of them in the standings.

McGinley birdied the 16th and moved up further to fifth.

McGinley's 67 put him 11 under and fifth, but Jacobson matched his birdie at the 16th and joined him.

“I’m nervous just thinking about tomorrow,” admitted McGinley.