Howell three-under in Dubai
6:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren
DAVID Howell enjoyed an impressive opening round as he carded a three-under-par 69 at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Howell announced his arrival on the European Tour when he won the tournament back in 1999, and the victory proved to be a springboard for his career which has included being part of two victorious European Ryder Cup teams.
The Broome Manor pro’s bid to repeat his success 13 years on did not start well with a bogey at the first, before bouncing back with a birdie at the fifth only to drop another shot at the very next hole.
But a superb back nine, which included five birdies at ten, 11, 14, 17 and 18, propelled the 36-year-old into a good position to make the cut.
Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello leads the tournament on nine under after carding an impressive opening round 63, while Germany’s Marcel Siem and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson are two shots back.
Both Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer are part of a group of players on six under, and England’s Ross Fisher is at five-under.
Cabrera-Bello had the chance to card the European Tour's first 59 when he stood on the 12th tee nine under par. It left him needing four more birdies to achieve the magic figure, but the 27-year-old parred in for a 63.
“Just for a second after the birdie on number two (his 11th hole) I tried to do the maths on what I needed for 59,” he said.
“Then I told myself to stop being foolish and don't be too greedy. Nothing wrong happened - there were some tough holes to come and I didn’t drop a stroke.
“It’s a really good score, but in itself it means nothing. If you want to stay grounded you think of how many leaders of the first round win the tournament. Not that many.
“I know I have to play really good just to have a chance.”
