Howell Enjoys Dream Masters Debut 

ARCHIVE: 10 years ago Swindon's best led them all at Augusta, played with Tiger and eventually finished 11th

 

As days go, Sunday, 10 April 2005, will no doubt live long in the memory of Swindon golfer David Howell.

Finished 11th on his debut: David Howell at the US Masters 2005

For not only did the 29-year-old professional finish in a superb 11th place on his debut in the US Masters 2005, but he also played witness to one of the most amazing rounds in major championship history.

That came during the Sunday morning round of the rain-hit tournament when Howell was completing his third round alongside the eventual winner Tiger Woods.

The two players had been paired together after Howell's scintillating performance on the first two days at Augusta National had catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard.

But because of weather delays, their Saturday round had been cancelled with 9 holes still remaining.

And when action resumed, it was the Tiger who showed everyone how the game should be played - eventually holing a record-equally seven consecutive birdies and charging into a four shot lead.

"That was something special to watch," said Howell.

"Just playing with Tiger at the Masters is unbelievable but seeing him play like that was incredible to be a part of."

"The whole atmosphere was something I have never experienced before. But I think I coped quite well."

Indeed he did.

For although the former Churchfields schoolboy fell back down the leaderboard in his attempt to keep up with the birdie-blitz going on around him, Howell composed himself under extreme pressure to shoot a three-under 69 in the final round to eventually finish just outside the top ten.

Most importantly, his display earned him a invitation back to Augusta next year - and acheived the goal that Howell had set himself at the start of the week.

"Every rookie here hopes to make the cut, and then possibly do well enough to get asked back the following year by finishing in the top 16," he added.

"To actually achieve that is very satisfying. I've proved to myself that I can compete at the highest level with the top players and I can't wait to come back."

And if that wasn't good enough, Swindon's best also had the very nice bonus of receiving just shy of £100,000 pounds for his efforts.

To celebrate, Howell treated his family and a number of Broome Manor members, who had travelled across to the US to support him, to dinner at a nearby restaurant.

"For my father, mother, brother and grandmother, plus some of my best friends from Swindon, to be here to share this with me really is the icing on the cake," Howell said.

 

Howell Leads the Masters

Friday 09 April 2005

 

We said yesterday that Swindon golfer David Howell was fulfilling a boyhood dream this week by playing in the US Masters.

 
Well, that dream has turned into a dreamland no one can quite believe.
Not only did the Broome Manor member record a fantastic level par round of 72 on his debut at Augusta, he has since gone on to start the second round in spectacular fashion - and now leads the rain-hit tournament alongside Luke Donald and Chris Di Marco.

 
Howell's Friday birdie blitz means the 29-year-old stands proudly above a famous list of the world's finest golfers that includes major winners Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, VJ Singh and defending champion Phil Mickleson.

 
In short, our boy is making the some best golfers of recent times looking like Sunday afternoon hackers.

 
"He's playing phenomenally well," said his father Ray, who is in the United States to support his son.

 
"I'm immensely proud of him, but this is still early days. There's a long way to go."

 
Starting on the 10th, Howell picked up shots at his first hole (the toughest on the course), and then more at the 11th, 13th, 15th and tricky par three 16th.

 
An agonising putt that just missed the hole for birdie followed on seventeen, before Swindon's best was left with a seven foot putt for par on 18 when play was suspended for the day because of torrential rain and the threat of lightning strikes.

At that point Howell was the name everyone at Augusta was talking about - especially amongst the press, who wanted to know more about the laid-back golfer from Swindon taking all the limelight.

 
"It couldn't have gone much better," he told them, after taking a 30 minute snooze in the clubhouse after his round.

 
"My game has really come together in the last couple of days, and I'm putting particularly well. I've just had a good 2 1/2 hours, and maybe the break will do me some good. We'll find out tomorrow.

 
He also admitted that his initial goal of just making the cut this week had changed.

 
"Now I can aim a bit higher than that," Howell added. "I just need to do keep doing the same things."

 

Swindon golfer makes it to the Masters

Thursday 07 April 2005

 
Swindon golfer David Howell will fulfill a boyhood dream this week.

 
On Thursday, 7 April 2005 the Broome Manor member will have the honour of teeing up at the 69th US Masters - a tournament many consider to be the world's greatest.

 
"Ever since I first took up the game, playing at Augusta has been an ambition of mine," the 29-year-old said.

 
"I've grown up in awe of the place and have only ever seen it on TV, as have millions of others. Finally being here is fantastic.

 
"Playing in the Ryder Cup last year was a big step for me and this is another one. I just hope to continue playing well enough to keep getting these opportunities."

 
And what a debut it could be for the European Tour star.

Howell has been drawn in the first group to play on the opening day, and may yet have the honour of hitting the first shot of the tournament proper at 8.05 local time.

 
Alongside him will be American's Jonathan Kaye and Ted Purdy.
"I'll be nervous but very excited," Howell added.

 
"I've not exactly on the top of my game at the moment, but I'm hoping to put in a good show. My immediate target will be to make the cut. Anything after that will be a bonus."

 
Not that David will be short of support. Also making the trip to Georgia, USA, to cheer him on are a number of friends and relatives from Swindon.

 
They include his father, Ray, who owns Howell's Furniture Shop in Old Town, his mother and even his 80-year-old grandmother.

 

Five members of Broome Manor Golf Club have also taken the opportunity to swap the greens of Swindon for the carpet-like fairways and famous magnolisas of Augusta.

Who knows they may even be witnesses to Swindon's best donning the famous green jacket come Sunday night, and joining an elite group that includes Nicklaus, Palmer, Woods, Ballesteros and the last British winner, Nick Faldo.

 
We can only hope!