Howell to play despite injury (From Swindon Advertiser)

Howell to play despite injury

6:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Golf By Andy Warren

DAVID Howell will have to battle with an ankle injury as well as the rest of the field when he tees off in the Johnnie Walker Championship this afternoon.

The Swindon player sprained his ankle 18 months ago and has had niggling injuries ever since, but during a rest period over the last month the problem has got worse.

The Broome Manor pro has been seeing specialists in a bid to solve the problem and could possibly have an injection in his ankle to help mask the pain, but is still keen to make his tee time of 2.05pm at Gleneagles.

“It has been a bit of bother, and it is a bit strange that it has got worse during a time where I have been taking a break from golf,” Howell said.

“This all stems from when I sprained my ankle over a year ago and I have always had irritations ever since, but this time I have had some scans over the last week and I am still planning to play.

“I might have an injection on it too, because it is definitely affecting me even if I am not in agony or anything like that.

“In hindsight I wish I had got to the bottom of this and sorted it sooner, but I haven’t and I just have to get on with it.”

During his break Howell did take part in the Thailand Open, and although he missed the cut, he returns in confident mood.

“It has been a good break, and a much-needed break because I had been playing every single week for months,” he said.

“It was nice to play out in Thailand, although I am a little disappointed I missed the cut. It was a low scoring event and I finished on two under when the cut was four under, and that is not too bad really.

“It was good to have a little time away from golf, but I am confident in my game because I was going well before the break. “In Europe I have made seven straight cuts, and I am confident I can extend that a bit more this weekend.”

Howell has a mixed record at Gleneagles, having finished tied for third in 2008 before being disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard two years later, but he is looking forward to getting back out on the course.

“If you had asked me a few years ago I would have said it was a course I really liked, because I think I finished tied for third there once. “I got disqualified once, but that was only for signing the wrong score after I missed the cut, and I have missed quite a few cuts there too.

“But it is a nice course that is a pleasure to play, and hopefully it will be a good week.”