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.