howell reveals first-tee secrets
David Howell - watching brief.
By Mark Garrod, PA Sport Golf Correspondent
The time had come for the start of David Howell's first Ryder Cup appearance - and all he could do was stand and watch. But watching certainly helped. "Those of us who weren't playing that first morning were all on the first tee," recalls Howell. "The Americans weren't and to me they missed a trick. "I think it was definitely a mistake on their part. When you see Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson hit it 50 yards off line you think, 'If they can do that what have I got to worry about?' "Of the eight tee shots only one or two hit the fairway. It was unbelievable. You could see what a nerve-wracking experience it was." Howell can expect to be one of the eight at the K Club when he wins his second cap. The 31-year-old from Swindon has come on leaps and bounds in the past two years and it will be a huge surprise if he plays in only two of the five sessions again. One of those in Detroit was a six and four thrashing by Jim Furyk - "I played like a plonker" - but in the other he and fellow debutant Paul Casey pulled off a vital fourball win on the second morning. "It didn't bother me that much when I was left out at first because I was in tatters with my game. "It was pretty apparent from the practice days what was going on and then on the Thursday night Thomas (Dane Thomas Bjorn, one of Bernhard Langer's assistants) told me I probably wasn't going to be in the foursomes either. "I can't say it was music to my ears, but I wasn't too stressed about it because my focus was on trying to find my swing. "It's not the easiest situation, being part of the team and not playing, and the Friday was a bit strange because you get up early to be there at the start and watch all the games go off. "I went and played nine holes with Poults (Ian Poulter) because we had to be ready to play in the afternoon even though it looked unlikely, then saw the finish of the morning games, had it confirmed we weren't playing, then watched some more. "It does all put you on edge a bit and I'm not saying I dealt with it the best in any shape or form. Thomas, who was a legend all week, then said that when I did play it would definitely be with an experienced player. "Because of that it was a big shock when the draw came out and I was with Paul, but once it had sunk in I think it was perfect for us. "We had to stand up and be counted. It's almost more intimidating the other way - people have struggled playing with Tiger because you don't want to let him down, let alone your team and your country. "Yes there was massive pressure on us, but there was no added expectation. We managed to keep it light with a few jokes - and, of course, it worked out great." That did not look likely when Chad Campbell drained a 40-footer at the 16th to put him and Furyk one-up. But Howell's rather thinned six-iron to the short 17th rolled up to six feet - it was later named the European Tour's 'Shot of the Year' - and Casey's closing par won the point. "I feel very fortunate that people think I played a role in our win. Yes I birdied the 15th and 17th, but I hit a very poor tee shot on 18 and it was Paul who got us the win. I didn't play that well." Certainly not as well as he hopes to in Ireland. "My goal for this Ryder Cup was to play a bigger role than last time," added Howell. "Obviously I hope to be playing well going into it and I'd love Woosie to put me first on the team sheet Friday morning and go out and try to win a point. "I'd like to assume that role. I was in awe of the likes of Westwood and Clarke and Garcia at the last one. "I certainly would love to come away from a Ryder Cup with the same sort of results as that." Garcia and Westwood scored 4 1/2 points of five, Padraig Harrington four and Clarke 3 1/2. "It's not going to be easy, but I look forward to the challenge. I'm very, very excited about it. "After I was beaten by Furyk in the singles it was just a case of support the troops. I was sitting with Darren (Clarke) after he'd finished and as our points total went up I can still remember what he said to me. "He said 'Howler, enjoy this. Take this in. This is special'."
