Nissan Open Wrapup
If second place finishes received trophies Charles Howell III would have a lot of hardware.
But they don't.
Since turning pro, Howell has amassed ten runner-up finishes and always seemed to be a bridesmaid and never the bride. After a breakout freshman year, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors in 2001, he seemed stymied after a 2002 victory at the Michelob Championship.
Howell already smelled the sweet aroma of victory twice this year, but the Kapalua winds blew that away at the Sony Open and the scent of a Tiger overpowered Howell at the Buick Invitational. At last week's Nissan Open, Howell tasted victory to earn his second career PGA Tour victory.
It looked inevitable that Phil Mickelson would win his second tournament in the past two weeks, but the 18th hole was again a problem (Winged Foot) for Mickelson. Only needing a par to win, he bogeyed to fall into a playoff with Howell.
Shooting a final round 65, Howell erased a three stroke deficit to Mickelson and capitalized on late miscues by Mickelson to get into a playoff. Howell was in a similar situation in 2003 when Mike Weir defeated him in a playoff at Rivera Country Club, but this time Howell prevailed.
The #3 ranked player in the world looked like anything but impressive in the extra golf and continued his struggles from the 72nd hole.
Both players parred the first playoff hole. After Mickelson made his par, Howell faced a six footer to keep the day going...he made it.
On the next hole Mickelson made a par and again it was Howell in trouble. After a superbly played pitch from about 25 yards, Howell made his putt and extended the tournament.
Mickelson bogeyed the final playoff hole and allowed Howell to finish up the tournament with a three footer.
This win was huge for a young player like Howell who has been so close so many times without the desired outcomes. To date, two young Americans have scored wins on the west coast, Howell and Charley Hoffman, and both look to have the game and attitude to spark new blood on a dying American Ryder Cup team. Combine these players with JJ Henry, the young standout from the 2006 Ryder Cup, and an experienced team of Tiger, Phil and Jim Furyk, the American team could once again be competitive against Europe.
This week the PGA Tour travels to Arizona for the WGC-Match Play Championship. Check-in with hookedongolf.com all week for updates and results.
