Howell III holds on for wire-to-wire RSM Classic win
An emotional Charles Howell III overcame a disastrous start to his final round to defeat Patrick Rodgers in a playoff and win his first PGA Tour tournament in nearly 12 years at the RSM Classic in Georgia on Sunday.
After a bad start to Sunday that saw Howell drop three shots in the first three holes, the American recovered to shoot a three-under-par-67 to get to 19-under for the event.
On Sunday, Charles Howell III ended the longest drought between TOUR wins. He needed two extra holes at @TheRSMClassic to do it.
Highlights from Round 4: pic.twitter.com/pjEsjDV0Pa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2018
That was enough for a play-off with Rodgers who fired a sparkling eight-under-par-62.
At the second time of replaying the 18th, Howell holed a 20-foot birdie putt to edge out his countryman.
Playoff.
Highlights from Sunday @TheRSMClassic: pic.twitter.com/BU8kOLGzjN
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2018
The triumph ends Howell’s 4,291-day wait for a PGA Tour win.
“Quite honestly, I didn’t know if I would ever win one again,” Howell said afterwards.
“I had come up short so many times.
“The things that I’ve been working on and practicing held up. In the playoff, I was able to hit nice drives off that tee in a left-to-right crosswind.
“I was able to hit a nice eight-iron on 17 in regulation to make birdie.
“That bit means more to me than beating somebody.”
Howell has now started 529 PGA Tour events.
Only two men needed more starts before winning for the third time.
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
NewsRory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
NewsPhil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
NewsRory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
NewsRory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
NewsJustin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
NewsMy last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.