David Howell back from seven years in wilderness
'The downs were pretty low and I lost my way in life and on the Tour as well,' says Englishman
England’s David Howell ended seven years in the golfing wilderness with a sudden-death playoff victory over American Peter Uihlein in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrew’s, Scotland.
The 38-year-old Howell, a former world number nine and a member of two victorious European Ryder Cup teams, clinched victory with a birdie at the second extra hole.
“It’s incredible. The sun is shining and the crowd have come out,” said Howell, who had lost all four of his previous play-offs.
“I have never played in an Open Championship here, but to win a golf tournament as a professional at the home of golf is quite amazing and I am really thrilled.
“I was really nervous all week and strangely less nervous today. I can’t explain that at all. I stayed calm and smooth under pressure and that was really pleasing.”
Howell and Uihlein were tied at 23-under-par at the end of the tournament, a pro-am event in which players alternate between three courses over the first three days, before the top 60 pros and the top 20 teams compete in the final round.
Uihlein, 24, who carded a 60 in his second round, took a two-shot lead into the final day but Howell came home with a five-under par 67 to the American’s 69 to force the play-off.