Howell to strike first

HOYLAKE, ENGLAND - JULY 14: David Howell of England putts during a practice round prior to the start of the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on July 14, 2014 in Hoylake, England. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Thomas Patrick Clarke

published 16 July 2014

David Howell has been given the privilege of striking the first shot of the 2014 Open Championship tomorrow. By Robin Barwick

England’s David Howell has been given the privilege of striking the first shot of the 2014 Open Championship tomorrow, when he tees up in the first round at 6:25am with David Duval and Robert Karlsson.

“I am thrilled to be teeing off first,” says Howell, who has not played in the Open since 2009. “Even though the tee time is so early, I don’t think you would find anyone complaining about going out first.”

Injuries have set Howell’s career back in recent years, after he had played on the winning European Ryder Cup teams of 2004 and 2006. Two wins in 2006 saw Howell reach the top-10 on the World Ranking, but then his form disappeared and he did not win again until last season’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Perhaps the early start will trigger Howell’s Open revival.

Tom Clarke joined Golf Monthly as a sub editor in 2009 being promoted to content editor in 2012 and then senior content editor in 2014, before becoming Sports Digital Editor for the Sport Vertical within Future in 2022. Tom currently looks after all the digital products that Golf Monthly produce including Strategy and Content Planning for the website and social media - Tom also assists the Cycling, Football, Rugby and Marine titles at Future. Tom plays off 16 and lists Augusta National (name drop), Old Head and Le Touessrok as the favourite courses he has played. Tom is an avid viewer of all golf content with a particularly in depth knowledge of the pro tour.