Date: April 07, 2008
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Frenchman holds off Howell

France&aposs Gregory Bourdy has denied David Howell what would have been an amazing victory, winning the Portuguese Open at the third hole of a play-off at Oitavos Dunes. The Ryder Cup star, so down in the dumps about his game just two weeks ago that he changed coaches, produced a closing 64 that was his lowest round for over two years, but found it was not quite enough. Scot Alastair Forsyth, seeking a second win in three weeks, had also tied on the 18-under-par mark of 266 after two closing birdies, but fell out of the race after driving into a bush on the second hole of sudden death. Howell and Bourdy, who stayed alive with a 12-foot putt there, then switched from the 18th to the 17th and the Swindon golfer missed the green and failed to get up and down. It was the fifth week in a row on the European Tour that there had been a play-off. It was also the fourth time out of four Howell had lost a play-off. Australian Matthew Millar, out of the hunt at the beginning of the final day, closed with a 71 to be 16 shots adrift of the leading duo. Bourdy had led by four at the start of the day but a front nine of 39 left him playing catch-up. “It was so difficult in the first nine holes. I was plus three and I lost a little bit of my game but at the start of the day I thought I had to play under par and I would have a big chance to win,” Bourdy said. “I was concentrating on my game after nine holes and I made a few birdies and I felt if I made three or four I would have a big chance.” “I did not want to see the leaderboard so I was focused on my game after nine. I thought maybe minus four or five on the back nine would be okay.”