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Briton Howell holds off Tiger to win in China
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-14 09:12
SHANGHAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Briton David Howell valiantly held off Tiger
Woods to win the inaugural Champions Tournament by three strokes on Sunday.
David howell poses with the champions's cup.
[Sina] | The Englishman fired a four-under-par
68 to finish on 20-under 268 in Shanghai, erasing the pain of his previous close
encounter with the world number one at this year's U.S. Masters.
Woods had to settle for second place in his first official tournament in
China after returning a final-round 70 at the $5 million event, the start of the
2006 European Tour.
"This is a giant leap for me," said Howell, who is set to climb from 19th to
13th in the world rankings to be announced on Monday.
"Tiger has already become a legend and it's an honour as a golfer to have the
chance to beat him. It's almost like the F.A. Cup final for the underdog."
Woods began the day one shot behind his Ryder Cup rival and it soon became
two after Howell birdied the second.
A two-shot swing at the fifth, where Woods fluffed a three-foot par putt and
watched Howell tap in for birdie, left the 10-times major winner four strokes
adrift.
Howell was pulverised by eventual champion Woods at this year's Masters at
Augusta National where they were paired together in the third round.
Woods shot a 65 while Howell slumped to a 76 on his Augusta debut but, though
the Englishman briefly faltered by missing short par putts at the eighth and
ninth on the final day in Shanghai, he kept his nerve this time.
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