Howell earns a spot at Masters
Web posted
Monday, February 19, 2007
Charles Howell doesn't have to worry about where he'll be the first full week in April.
The Augusta native and professional golfer secured a spot in the Masters Tournament by winning the Nissan Open on Sunday in a three-hole playoff against Phil Mickelson.
Mr. Howell's victory put him on top of the PGA Tour money list and assured him of improving his current spot (45) in the World Golf Ranking when it is released today. The top 10 on the money list and the top 50 in the World Golf Ranking as of March 26 will earn automatic invitations to the Masters, and Mr. Howell is unlikely to drop out of either with just five weeks to go.
"I'm in the Masters now, I think. Yes, I'm looking forward to going back there," Mr. Howell said in his post-round news conference. "The place is so darn special to me that, you know, I couldn't imagine watching that from my home in Orlando from the couch."
Mr. Howell, 27, struggled for much of 2006 and had not previously qualified for the Masters. He started this season strong with runner-up finishes at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the Buick Invitational.
On Sunday, at the famed Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Mr. Howell shot 6-under-par 65 that included a tricky par putt on the 18th hole. He then watched Mr. Mickelson, a two-time Masters winner, bogey the hole to fall into the playoff.
Mr. Howell scrambled to make clutch pars on the first two playoff holes. On the third extra hole, after Mr. Mickelson had missed his putt for par, Mr. Howell knocked in a three-foot putt for the win, tipped his cap and raised his arms in a victory salute.
It was the first PGA Tour victory for Mr. Howell since he won the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill in 2002.
