England’s David Howell ended a seven-year winless drought with a play-off victory to capture the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland.
The former Ryder Cup star birdied the second extra hole to defeat American Peter Uihlein after both players had ended regulation play on 23-under par on the Old Course.
Howell, 38 had beaten Tiger Woods in 2006 to win the inaugural HSBC Champions event while he has played more than 200 tournaments since his last victory later that year.
England’s Tom Lewis (64) and Ireland’s Shane Lowry (68) shared third place at 22-under par.
David Howell ends seven-year winless drought with 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links victory. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Howell, 38 had beaten Tiger Woods in 2006 to win the inaugural HSBC Champions event while he has played more than 200 tournaments since his last victory later that year.
“It’s just incredible to win on the Old Course at St. Andrews and you know I have never played in an Open Championship here, so I still dream to do that but to win a golf tournament as a professional at the Home of Golf is quite amazing,” he said.
“To nail that birdie putt to win is pretty sweet also as I was zero and five in play-offs so I felt as though I deserved one.”
Howell began the final round two strokes behind Uihlein but then burst into contention with five birdies in his opening seven holes including four in succession from the fourth hole.
However Howell then played the last nine in level par while Uihlein, competing in the event for a first occasion, also stalled in completing his inward nine in one under.
Both players pared the first extra hole before Howell sealed a fifth European Tour victory.
Howell earned a first prize cheque of $US 800,000 to move back into the world’s top-100 and to 12th on the Race to Dubai to also qualify for the Tour’s end-of-season Final Series for a first time in his career.
“It’s a dream to be back in the big time as it’s been a long, long road from the depths of despair to get here today,” he said.
“But then I was really nervous all week but then I felt less nervous today and I can’t explain that.
“However I always felt the Dunhill Links owed me one as the first time in 2001 I played with Ernie (Els) and made five on 17 and he nipped past me as did Paul Lawrie who won.
“The following year I made six on 17 and the year after I made seven on 17 and all will a chance to win but I had good vibes today feeling it can’t keep going wrong.”
Uihlein, who was looking to become the first American to win the event, settled for a prize cheque of $533,330 to take his earnings this year in Europe to $1.329m and move to 10th on the Race to Dubai.
