Howell rallies in Portugal but 74 proves costly
6:00am Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport
DAVID Howell was left counting the cost of a sloppy third round at the Portugal Masters.
The Broome Manor pro produced some brilliant golf at the Oceanico Victoria course in yesterday’s final outing, carding a five-under par 66 to power back up the leaderboard but all the damage was done on Saturday when the 27-year-old slumped to a limp round of 74.
The round-four rally was enough to earn Howell a share of 37th place and a cheque for €13,950.
Irishman Shane Lowry became only the second player to win on the European Tour as both an amateur and a professional.
The 25-year-old lifted the title by a stroke when Ross Fisher three-putted the final hole.
Lowry joins Spaniard Pablo Martin, who won the 2007 Portuguese Open in his amateur days and then the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa two years later.
Shot of the day from Rory McIlroy’s stablemate was a seven-iron into the hole for an eagle two at the 11th.
Lowry was one ahead after adding birdies at the 15th and 17th, but prepared himself for a play-off after driving into sand and bogeying the last for a 66 and 14 under par total.
Former Ryder Cup star Fisher was in the group behind and from the fringe of the green left his long birdie attempt - a putt to win the title - five feet short and then lipped out.
Unlike his maiden victory, which earned him nothing because of his amateur status, Lowry this time picked up a cheque for just over £300,000 in addition to the trophy.
