Howell: The best is yet to come

David Howell is looking forward to the best years of his career after ending a six-year wait for his second European Tour victory in Munich.

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 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.”

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 Luke Donald – who slumped to a 73 and share of 11th place – and three-putted the third for a bogey.

But the Swindon golfer 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 almost span back into the water at the 16th, 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 am delighted,” said Howell, playing only his third event since a two-month lay-off with an abdominal injury he suffered at the US Open in 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 (€330,000) winner’s cheque also ensured Howell’s place in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth next month – with a first prize of £1m (€1.46m) – 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 earnt my place.

“I have been in the position before where you look at the players in these events with envy, but with a lot of hard work I have put myself in the same position.”

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,” the former Open and USPGA champion said. “I hit a good three-iron and then hit a divot on my chip and mis-read 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.”