Howell hoping to end decade-long drought
Charles Howell III has a chance of ending a decade-long wait for a PGA Tour win after taking a share of the lead at the John Deere Classic.
Howell – who has returned from a rib injury lay-off – carded an eight-under-par 63 on the opening day of the Illinois tournament after sinking eight birdies in a flawless round.
The 38-year-old has carded 16 runners-up finishes over the last 10 years, yet has been unable to add to his two tour wins.
But he lies alongside tour rookie Ollie Schniederjans at the top of the leaderboard, with the pair boasting a two-shot advantage over Zach Johnson, Chad Campbell, Patrick Rodgers and Rory Sabbatini.
On his injury lay-off, Howell said: “All I did was putt for nine weeks but you never know if that means success or not.
“That can go one way or the other. My putter and I spent a lot of time together.”
Two-time major champion Johnson will be hoping for more joy at his hometown event after winning in 2012 and finishing in the top three on six occasions.
“I know this golf course, clearly,” he said.
“I’ve played this tour event more than any so I’m very comfortable with the course, essentially any wind.
“That said, you still have to execute and today was one of those good days.”
Latest
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.
-
-
European TourRory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round in Dubai after shooting a 67
England’s Sam Horsfield is just a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Robert MacIntyre.
-
European TourDouble bogey on final hole sees Rory McIlroy slip shot off the pace in Dubai
The round one leader is a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, England’s Sam Horsfield and American John Catlin.
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.