Former Ryder Cup player David Howell completed his resurgence from the depths of the game, at the Home of Golf, as he defeated American Peter Uihlein in a playoff to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews. It was the Englishman’s first victory on the European Tour in over seven years, as he came out on top at the end of a compelling day on the Old Course that was presented in testing conditions.
In an unpredictable afternoon, with the old links being accompanied with a noticeable breeze for the first time this week, Shane Lowry and Tom Lewis posted a clubhouse target of 22-under. It was then down to Howell and Uihlein, the 54-hole leader, who were in the penultimate and final groups respectively. After making a brave two-putt from the bottom of the Valley of Sin, at the front of the iconic 18th green, Howell set the clubhouse target of 23-under after completing a final round of 67.
24-year-old Uihlein, who shot an incredible round of 60 at Kingsbarns on Friday, found himself with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win for the second time this season. Unfortunately for the player who won the Madeira Islands Open in May, the putt missed narrowly, and he was subsequently plunged into the fourth playoff in the history of the tournament alongside Howell.
They made the short journey across to the first hole of the Old Course. After hitting their tee shots onto the gigantic fairway, Howell and Uihlein exchanged polite conversation in the heat of competition, which is one of the unique facets of the game of golf. They both found the opening green in regulation, with Howell putting first. His effort would miss, and Uihlein was once again presented with a putt to claim victory. Like the final hole of regulation play, Uihlein’s effort was more than credible, but it once again failed to drop, meaning the short walk to the 18th tee was on the cards.
The 18th at St. Andrews may only measure 357 yards on the scorecard, but it’s a hole that provides the players with a variety of options. David Howell took the old fashioned route of aiming to the left of the fairway at the clock on the R&A Clubhouse behind the first tee. That’s always the safest line to take, and his perfectly executed tee shot provided him with a full wedge shot into the green. Uihlein elected to play up the centre towards the rolling mounds across the other side of Granny Clark’s Wynd, a tarmac road that is within the boundaries of the course.
Uihlein’s approach was ultra-conservative, hitting it way past the pin as he aimed to remove all possibility of trickling back into the dreaded Valley. Howell was next up, with a clear opportunity to play his approach closer to the hole. Solid wedge play has always been a feature of Howell’s game, and he duly delivered by producing an excellent shot to within eight feet of the hole.
As beautiful sunshine adorned the most iconic setting in golf, Uihlein’s long-range putt finished up inches short of the hole. It was then over to David Howell, who had even become a part-time announcer on Sky Sports during his slump in form during the past seven years. He stepped up the putt, and made no mistake from eight feet as he claimed the extremely large and lucrative Alfred Dunhill Links trophy.
Howell received the first prize of €589,561, as he moves into the top 100 in the world rankings for the first time in more than four years. With twins on the way this winter, that extra cash will be particularly welcome, but it’s a win that will open many doors in the months ahead. When receiving the trophy with the traditional bagpipes in the background, the likeable 38-year-old reflected on a special day at St. Andrews.
”It's incredible, the sun is shining and the crowd have come out,” Howell said. “I have never played in an Open Championship here but to win a golf tournament as a professional at the Home of Golf is quite amazing and I am really thrilled.”
In recent times, consistency has returned to his game, making a stunning 35 of his last 40 cuts on Tour. However, he has struggled to capitalise on that in the final two rounds of tournaments, but that trait was certainly removed this week in Scotland.
”I was really nervous all week and strangely less nervous today, and I can't explain that at all. I stayed calm and smooth under pressure and that was really pleasing.”
Receiving congratulations from his manager Andrew Chandler just off the 18th green, Howell revealed his gratitude to those who had supported him during these difficult times on the golf course.
”It's been a long, long road from the depths of despair. I have had a lot of support from people around me and this is as much for them as it is for me.”
There will be disappointment for Peter Uihlein, but once again the talented American, who has now played in 25 countries during his fledging career, impressed. 22-year-old Tom Lewis’s tie for third will be enough to guarantee his card for next season, with two events left to spare.
The Alfred Dunhill Links was once again a highlight of the golfing calendar, with fantastic late September weather blanketing three of the world’s finest links courses.
On Sunday, the spotlight was on the legendary Old Course at St. Andrews. The sun made a welcome appearance in the afternoon, producing the most magnificent of settings, and it was David Howell who finally shone brightly once again.