Golf story by Boris Webb, Mon, 14 Nov 2005 10:28:00 GMT


Under-dog David Howell thwarted Tiger Woods bid to win the inaugural HSBC Champions tournament at Shanghai. David Howell also became the first Englishman to win against a World No 1 in the final group of a professional event. In the process, his rankings shot up to No.13 in the world.

In Shesan club in Shanghai, Howell began by playing a shot ahead of Woods and went on to win the championship by three strokes. He closed with a four-under 68 as against the American's 70 for a 20.

Howell finished his third European Tour win at 20-under-par 268 which earned him £476,000. The golfer ended his six-year run drought of wins when he won the BMW International in Munich three months ago. 30-year-old Howell managed to win his a title last in 1999 at Dubai. But beating Woods, the World champ, was something different and it was his also long-cherished dream as he admitted after the match.

He said: “I was like a swan - all serene at the top but paddling like hell underneath.” Saying that that he was nervous, he added:” It was a big tournament, I wanted to win and I was more worried about how I would cope.” Braving the over-enthusiastic crowd was also a challenge that Howell had to contend with.

Even after Howell missed five-footers at the eighth and ninth, he was still in leading. A birdie at the 10th helped him to be three ahead.

Howell shook hands with Woods and struck a longish conversation following the match. He said: "I told him we were all honoured as golfers to have the chance to beat him and I said how privileged we were to be playing in his era."

Remarking on Howell victory, Woods said: “David has worked hard and that's what happens. You're going to improve when you put in time he has and he certainly deserves this.”

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