Howell wonders what might have been in India
6:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne
David Howell
SWINDON’S David Howell was left contemplating what might have been at the Avantha Masters, but couldn’t deny that 17th place was the ‘good finish’ he had been looking for.
The Broome Manor pro compiled a superb seven-under-par round of 65 in India on Saturday, before an effort of one-under yesterday saw him miss out on climbing into the top 10.
Howell ended on 12-under overall with South African Thomas Aiken taking the tournament victory at Jaypee Gardens on 23-under following a bogey-less final round of five-under.
“I played lovely on Saturday, I hit lots of good iron shots and everything was pretty much on song,” said Howell.
“I got off to a nice start and a 65 never looked in doubt. It was probably the best round of the year so far.
“It was a bit of a shame I couldn’t back that up with something in the 60s on Sunday.
“It didn’t happen, which was frustrating. On the whole I played quite nicely, but played two or three poor shots coming in.
“I made a few bogeys but holed a really nice long putt on the last, and all in all I probably didn’t deserve much better than that score.
“It was another good result that keeps me knocking on the door.”
Aiken became the sixth South African to win on the European Tour this year in taking victory, and the first of that group to win outside his home nation.
Howell added: “South Africa has got a few useful players.
“Thomas can be a bit up and down but he is quite a dynamic player and hits the ball a long way. When he’s on it he can be really hot.”
Aiken was delighted with his tournament win, hailing his play as ‘phenomenal’.
“I have been playing very nicely the last four months, making very few mistakes but not sinking enough putts,” he said.
“This week a few went in and I hit some better iron shots and played phenomenal golf, two bogeys the whole week and overall I am very pleased with the way I played.
“They just kept coming at me (on the final day).
“I tried my best to get a little bit of a lead but couldn't get it going, everyone was holing everything.
“By no means was it a walk in the park.
“Finally I can have a bit of a breather.”
