Recovery on back nine sees Howell beat the cut

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Saturday 28th Jan 2006.

GOLF: DAVID Howell flirted with making the cut before a three under par back nine saw him safely into the last two days play at the Qatar Masters.

A bogey and eight pars on his opening nine left him tied 70th and on the cut line. But an eagle at the par five 10th and a birdie at the par four 16th hoisted him up to tied 45th.

And it could have been better, as the Swindonian, playing alongside Vijay Singh, missed a birdie chance at the final hole.

The form of Henrik Stenson and Nick Dougherty has brought two of the most talked-about contenders for Europe's Ryder Cup campaign together at the top of the leaderboard.

The big-hitting Swede and the effervescent Englishman are rivals this weekend, and with Stenson two shots clear of Dougherty after round two and one ahead of Argentinian Ricardo Gonzalez he finds himself in the driving seat.

But the pair are hoping to line up side by side when it comes to the bi-annual battle with the United States at Ireland's K Club in September.

Having played together on Friday, each had the chance to analyse the other's game at close quarters and Dougherty was most impressed with what he had seen.

He said: "Monty is probably going to be first in the team but without a doubt I think Henrik will be in the Ryder Cup team and I'll take a bet on that if someone offered me.

"He hits the ball such a long way. I'm not short but he hits it to a different ballpark to where I hit it.

"He's putting solidly and he's making some key putts at the right time. He's a good all-round player and has improved so much over the past few years that you can't fault him. It's a pleasure to see him play so well."

Perhaps aware that Dougherty is on course to represent his biggest threat this weekend, Stenson was more reticent, only commenting: "Nick is a very good, steady player. I think he will be up for the challenge."

It is clear, though, that both players will be pushing hard for a Ryder spot.

Archive Home