Howell pulls out of Valderrama pro-am

Injury-prone David Howell pulled out of today’s pro-am on the eve of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, the event which will decide whether he wins the European tour Order of Merit.

The Swindon golfer, who has had a recurrence of back and shoulder trouble lately, has to finish first or second on Sunday just to have a chance of knocking Ryder Cup partner Paul Casey off top spot.

Howell led the money list from last November, when he beat Tiger Woods head-to-head in Shanghai, right through to the HSBC World Match Play title Casey lifted at Wentworth last month.

Padraig Harrington’s victory at the dunhill links championship at St Andrews two weeks ago relegated Howell to third, but if he was to win the Volvo Masters Casey would have to finish second to stay above him and if he was second Casey would have to be third.

A top three finish could do it for Harrington – and victory would make him number one regardless of where Casey finishes – while fourth-placed Robert Karlsson is like Howell in requiring a top two finish.

Howell’s place in the pro-am was taken by Karlsson’s fellow Swede Peter Hanson, another of the 54 players competing this week.