Monday, April 07, 2008
Howeller Of A Chip Hands Victory To Bourdy

He hasn’t had a finish inside the top 25 on the Tour so far this season, but you wouldn’t have believed it watching Grégory Bourdy at the Portugese Open this weekend. He started his round on Sunday with four and six shot leads over the pair he eventually faced in a playoff, but a poor font-nine saw him drop three shots in five holes. He showed the mental strength of a champion though, making four birdies on the back-nine to put himself back in the frame with David Howell - who shot 64 on the day – while playing partner Alastair Forsyth birdied the difficult final two holes to card a 66 and sneak into the three-way shootout.

Forsyth’s wild tee shot at the second extra hole ended the Scot’s hopes for victory, while Howell’s approach from the middle went through the green on the third. A duffed chip and missed putt was all she wrote for the man from Swindon, as Bourdy made his third solid par to clinch the title.



"I was focused on my game and am so happy to win." Said Bourdy, whose maiden European Tour victory was the Mallorca Classic last season.

Although Howell eventually had to settle for tied second, it will have come as a huge relief to be contending again after his incredible form in 2006 was followed by a season plagued by injury last year. Watch this space – 2008 could well be time for his triumphant return.




4/7/2008 2:50:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

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