Howell's magic runs out in play-off defeat
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
France's Grégory Bourdy denied David Howell what would have been an amazing victory yesterday, winning the Portuguese Open at the third hole of a play-off at Oitavos Dunes.
The former Ryder Cup star, having fallen to 274th in the world rankings entering this event and so down in the dumps about his game just two weeks ago that he changed coaches, produced a closing 64 that was his lowest round for over two years, but found it was not quite enough.
Scot Alastair Forsyth, seeking a second win in three weeks, had also tied on the 18-under par mark after two closing birdies, but fell out of the race after driving into a bush on the second hole of sudden death. Howell and Bourdy, who stayed alive with a 12-foot putt there, then switched from the 18th to the 17th and the Swindon golfer missed the green and failed to get up and down.
It was the fourth time out of four Howell had lost a play-off. Bourdy had led by four at the start of the day but a front nine of 39 left him playing catch-up. "It was so difficult in the first nine holes. I lost a little bit of my game," said Bourdy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments