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Howell's finishing flourish

20/ 7/2008

DAVID Howell, something of a forgotten man in the last year, gave a reminder of his talent with a closing 67 in The Open.

And it could have been the round of the week. Howell three-putted three times, including the last, as he finished on 12 over par.

It was his start that really crushed the 2004 and 2006 European Ryder Cup player, however.

"I was seven over after nine, I'd just three-putted eight and nine and I said to my caddie kind of tongue-in-cheek 'What are we doing here?'

"He said he didn't know. I think he kind of agreed with me. But I battened down the hatches (unlike Sandy Lyle, of course) and hung in."

Even though he hinted at a comeback by being in a play-off in Portugal in April Howell is still only 79th in the race for Ryder Cup places.

"I've not given up hope, but I'm not lying awake worrying about how I am going to make the team.

"That was a decent round, but the Ryder Cup is the last tournament on my mind right now."

Nick Dougherty is just outside the top 10 in the standings, but has been falling and with a 77 for 22 over his dream of a debut is even further away.

The Liverpool golfer lost his mother to a heart attack at the end of April and is still grieving.

"The events are counting down and I need a near-miracle," he said. "If I don't make it it won't surprise me, but I will give it a shot.

"The fact that I'm going to events shows I think it's still possible."