David Howell wins at Alfred Dunhill

Sept 29, 2013. David Howell overcame the challenge of Peter Uihlein at the second extra hole to secure his first European Tour victory for seven years at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Howell carded a final round of 67 to set the clubhouse target and then watched as overnight leader Uihlein missed from 15 feet for a winning birdie on the 18th, meaning the pair finished tied on 23 under par.

Both players narrowly missed long birdie attempts on the first extra hole, so action switched from the first to the 18th.

Uihlein left his birdie putt from long range inches short but Howell, who had lost all four of his previous play-offs, made no such mistake from eight feet to claim the title and first prize of €589,561.

“It’s incredible, the sun is shining and the crowd have come out,” Howell said. “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.

“It’s 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.”

Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s Tom Lewis finished a shot outside the play-off, Lewis charging through the field with a 64 and Lowry carding a closing 68.

Lewis began the week 155th on The Race to Dubai with only the top 110 in three weeks’ time keeping their card for next season, but the share of third place will be enough for the 22 year old to retain his playing rights.

Lowry had briefly led by two shots after playing his first 11 holes in six under par, but paid the price for dropped shots at the 13th and 15th.

Background

Widely regarded as one of the friendliest players on the European Tour, David has a deep-rooted passion for the game and an ability to thrive under pressure.

After a steady climb to the top of his profession, David had a great year in 2005 and in November he out-played and out-scored playing partner Tiger Woods on the final day to win the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai. He went on to capture the 2006 BMW Championship, the flagship event of the European Tour.

Further illustration of his big tournament temperament was shown by a fifth place at the WGC – Accenture Match Play and top 20 finishes in both the Masters Tournament and the US Open Championship, before playing a vital role in Europe’s third successive victory over the USA at The 2006 Ryder Cup.

David ended the 2006 season with a career high third place on the European Tour Order of Merit. The 2008 season saw David change his golf coach to South African, Jamie Gough, who helped David to reach a final spot of 45th in the Order of Merit.

David showed signs of an overdue return to form with steady, if unspectacular, 2010 and 2011 seasons, finishing 96th and 103rd in The Race to Dubai to shake of the frustration of a succession of injuries over the previous few seasons.

When not playing, David is a firm favourite on the Sky Sports Golf commentary team.