Broome Manor pro remains cautious despite flying start
6:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne
Swindon's David Howell
SWINDON’S David Howell insists the job is only half done at the Tshwane Open after a strong opening two rounds in South Africa.
The 37-year-old was sitting four shots off the lead held by home favourite Charl Coetzee after yesterday’s 18, although a handful of players were still to complete their second rounds as play was suspended due to the threat of lightning.
Hours earlier the Broome Manor pro had carded a three-under-par 69 at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate, which added to a 67 on Thursday put him eight-under overall and in a tie for sixth.
Howell is without a European Tour win since triumphing at the BMW Championship in 2006, but is certainly not getting ahead of himself despite 36 useful holes so far.
“I’m four behind the leader but there’s an awful long way to go yet,” he said.
“It would be nice to have a chance and I wil try and get myself in position for Sunday. It’s a bit of a cliche but it’s about keeping up what I’m doing.
“If you can get yourself in contention with nine holes to go then at that point you are looking to win, but we’re only half way through.
“Lack of bogeys has been key to my success and if I can keep doing that then I’m sure there will be a couple more scores available in the 60s in the final two days.
“I’m pleased. I didn’t play quite as nicely as Thursday, there were a couple of wayward drives in there.
“But there were some good shots too and I holed a 15-footer for bogey which was a turning point early in the round.
“69 is never a bad score. Every time you break 70 you’re not disappointed.”
