Howell hoping for kick-start in Joburg

Englishman David Howell’s latest attempt to re-ignite his career is set to begin in this week’s Joburg Open.
David Howell’s latest attempt to re-ignite his career will begin in the Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington club.
World number nine only four years ago – he beat Tiger Woods in Shanghai and blew away Europe’s best in the PGA Championship at Wentworth – Howell then suffered injuries and a total loss of form.
He went from third on the Order of Merit to 142nd the following season and, after showing signs of a revival in 2008, including a seventh-place finish at The Open, endured an even worse run last time.
The 34-year-old from Swindon, a member of two winning Ryder Cup teams, missed the cut in 18 of 27 events to be 156th on the money list and ended the campaign commentating on the Dubai World Championship rather than playing in it.
“In 2006 I had a chance to win the Order of Merit – I felt invincible,” he said.
Regrettably perhaps, Howell felt the need to try to improve his swing, but then suffered back and wrist problems which put a real dent into his hopes of staying among the game’s elite.
He starts his season 357th in the world and with only one more year to run on the five-year exemption he earned for winning the PGA Championship.
Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, meanwhile, has now used up his 10-year exempt spot for becoming Open champion in 1999 – he remains the last European to win the event – but kept his place on the circuit by finishing 82nd on the money list last season.
His last victory was the Wales Open eight years ago, but he was third in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in August and will make his 2010 debut today also looking for more of his old form.
Latest
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.