Howell finishes tied 22nd in Doha (From Swindon Advertiser)

Howell finishes tied 22nd in Doha

11:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

DAVID Howell was one loose hole away from his best round of the week as he signed off at the Qatar Masters today.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner carded a three-under-par round of 69 at Doha Golf Club and finished in a tie for 22nd.

Howell had previously fired rounds of three-under, one-over and four-under and finished on nine-under overall, a figure which would have been better had the Swindonian not slipped to a double bogey on 15.

But otherwise the 37-year-old was in superb form, getting off to a flyer with birdies at the first, second and seventh.

After dropping two shots at the 15th, he immediately made up for it by making gains at the next two holes.

Bristol's Chris Wood secured overall victory by a single shot following a dramatic eagle at the 18th.

The focus of Dubai resident Howell now turns to his 'home' tournament, the Dubai Desert Classic, which begins at the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday.

Howell seized his first European Tour victory at the tournament in 1999, although that year it was played on a different course, the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.