GOLF: Putting it right

11:00am Thursday 28th August 2008

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IF the world golf rankings were decided on putting ability alone, David Howell would probably be rubbing shoulders with Tiger Woods.

That he currently occupies the spot behind Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant at number 200 gives some indication of how the Swindonian has struggled from tee to green in the last 18 months.

Having made some pretty dramatic changes to his technique under new swing coach Jamie Gough however, the 33-year-old has slowly started to rediscover his form.

A 26th-placed finish at the KLM Open last week was testament to that, but for once it was Howell’s imperious short game that let him down.

As he prepares to embark on his latest European Tour challenge at the Johnnie Walker Classic today, the man from Broome Manor is determined to find that ‘Midas touch’ around the greens.

“I think I got a bit lazy with my putting and last week was the first time in a while that I had looked at my technique,” Howell admitted.

“Whatever your strength is, if that drops off you are going to find it difficult to score.

“My short game has still been good, but I’ve been aware for a while that I’ve not been putting as well as I can.

“I spent a bit of time working on it last week and hopefully that will improve things from here until the end of the year.”

That Howell has identified, and corrected, some of the minor flaws in his game is an encouraging sign indeed.

His renaissance may have come too late to secure a wild card pick for next month’s Ryder Cup match in Valhalla, but recent results have certainly put a spring in Howell’s step.

“The fact that I managed to work some things out bodes quite well for me,” he said.

“I also made a couple of little changes to the pace of my swing, trying to tweak that a little bit.

“Last week in Holland was a bit of a revelation from a certain point of view.

“I didn’t score as well as I might have, but when you consider all the little changes I made it was a pretty good week overall.”

Howell is back in the swing at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles from 1.30pm this afternoon.

The Swindon star resumes his challenge from 8.20am tomorrow alongside former Open Champion Paul Lawrie and Welshman Bradley Dredge.

• Keep up to date with Howell’s progress from Gleneagles at the Adver website www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk