Briton Howell holds off Tiger to win in China (Reuters) Updated: 2005-11-14 09:12
THIRD WIN
Tiger woods(R) receives
flower | The 30-year-old calmly sank a
10-foot birdie putt on the par-four 10th to forge three clear and, once Woods
bogeyed 16, Howell's third European Tour victory was all but sealed.
"I'm very ambitious and winning events like this HSBC Champions is the sort
of stuff I want to be doing," said Howell.
"It's something I've dreamed of but probably didn't think would come true.
It's been a massive learning experience for me today and hopefully it will help
me in the future."
Woods, who won six times on this year's U.S. PGA Tour, rued his errant drive
at the 288-yard par-four 16th where he went for broke but found a greenside
hazard.
"I had to go for it," shrugged Woods, who also finished runner-up at last
week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta. "Second doesn't feel as good
as first but two seconds in my last two weeks ... are good weeks."
Britain's Nick Dougherty tied for third with Australian Nick O'Hern at 14
under after an eagle at the last gave him a 69. Left-hander O'Hern carded a 73.
Fiji's world number two Vijay Singh shot a 69 to tie for fifth at 13 under
with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who carded a 70.
U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand finished a further three
strokes back in 10th place after a 73.
Howell, who had led the tournament since Friday's second round, ended a
six-year wait for a second European Tour title at the BMW International Open in
August.
However, his win at the Champions Tournament, which marked the start of the
2006 European Tour, was his biggest to date, earning him $830,000.
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