David Howell won a tense play-off with Peter Uihlein to clinch victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday. The Englishman kept his composure to win his first European Tour title for seven years, sinking a birdie on the second extra hole after the two players had finished tied at 23 under par at the end of the fourth round at St Andrews. Howell started the day at 18 under following a superb nine-under round of 63 on Saturday, and he maintained his good form on the final day, carding five birdies on the front nine. The world number 176 did drop a shot at the par-four 12th, but then birdied a further three holes to finish with a five-under round of 67. Overnight leader Uihlein began the day at 20 under but, although he recovered from a bogey on the opening hole to shoot three under, the American was forced to settle for the play-off after missing a 15-foot birdie attempt on the 18th. Both players then missed birdie putts from range on the first extra hole, but Howell made no mistake at the second – the 18th – after Uihlein had left another birdie putt short. And the 38-year-old was naturally delighted to have won his first title since 2006. “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,” he said. “It&aposs been a long, long road from the depths of despair. I have had a lot of support from people around me and this is as much for them as it is for me.” England&aposs Tom Lewis and Ireland&aposs Shane Lowry finished tied for third with scores of 22 under, the latter missing out despite an eagle at hole 10. Tommy Fleetwood (England) ended the tournament at 21 under par, with South Africa&aposs Garth Mulroy a shot further back. Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel were among five players to finish level at an impressive 19 under. Meanwhile, Australia&aposs Greg Chalmers carded a final-round score of 71 to finish on 11 under for the tournament.
Author: Omnisport