Open update: Howell 67 means best-ever finish
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Open update: 6.34pm 20 July 2008
Best-ever Open finish for Howell |
A superb final of 67, three under, meant Swindon's David Howell finished joint 7th at Royal Birkdale.
An eagle on the par 5 17th the highlight, as Howell tamed the windy conditions to record the best score of the day and his best finish in the Open.
His four round total of +12 earned him a cheque for just shy of £100,000, moving the Broome Manor pro up to 49th in the 2008 European Tour Order of Merit.
The event was won for the second successive year by Padraig Harrington on +3, who beat Ian Poulter by 4 shots and overnight leader Greg Norman by six.
"I definitely left my best round until last," Howell said, after waiting to see his former Ryder Cup teammate wrap up victory.
"I hit the ball really solidly out there and I'm very pleased to finish on a high."
"I can take a lot of confidence from this, especially hanging in there when the weather got really tough on day one.
"If you'd told me I'd finish 7th after starting on Thursday with four bogeys I'd have never believed you."
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Round Final Scorecard
blue = bogey yellow = par red = birdie
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Open update: 7:01pm 18 July 2008
Howell makes the cut |
A steady round of one-over 71 means Swindon's David Howell has safely made the cut at this year's Open Championship.
His two round score of 147, +7, was two shots inside the qualifying limit at +9. He lies in 37th place.
"I don't have a great record in the Open, so I'm pleased to make it to the weekend," Howell said.
KJ Choi leads on -1.
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Round Two Scorecard
blue = bogey yellow = par red = birdie
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Open update: 1:46pm 17 July 2008
Solid start at Birkdale for Swindon pro |
David Howell survived the worst of the weather today at Royal Birkdale to post a first round 76, six over par.
Out in 41, Howell recovered on the back-nine to shoot level par and a score that leaves the Broome Manor pro in 78th place, seven shots behind the leaders on -1.
"That was difficult out there, to say the least," Howell commented, "and after a four bogey start I was fearing the worst.
"But I found some rhythm and made some good putts, and I'm happy with the way it finished."
"Who knows, tomorrow? Maybe I'll get the better of the weather and make a decent stab of it. I'm hopeful."
Howell tees off in round two [Friday] at 1.53pm.
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Round One Scorecard
blue = bogey yellow = par red = birdie
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See Open Golf website below for full details.
