Vincent Publishing - Index

Vincent Publishing - 2008 Northern Trust Open - Index

PHOTO: STEVE GRAYSON/WIREIMAGE.COM
Howell’s putting was never better. He curled in an eightfooter
for par on the 18th in regulation that kept the heat
on Mickelson, and holed a six-footer for par on No. 18 to
extend the playoff.
Mickelson squandered a couple of huge breaks that
looked like they would carry him to victory.
His flop shot on the 10th in regulation was heading into the
back bunker when a tuft of kikuyagrass stopped it on the
very edge. Instead of scrambling for par from a deep
bunker, he used a utility club to knock in a 20-footer for
birdie and lead by two shots.
On the 12th, his approach bounced off Humphrey
Bogart’s tree — the sycamore left of the green where the
actor used to watch the tournament — and caromed onto
the green instead of down into a ravine. Those breaks
were wasted, however, by missing two short putts and failing
to make par on the final hole.
“I’ll look back and see a lot of opportunities,” Mickelson
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2008 OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT MAGAZINE
TOURNAMENT REVIEW
said. “On a good note, it’s better to get those out of the
way early with the upcoming majors.”
Howell trailed by as many as five shots early in the final
round and was still four behind with eight holes remaining,
seemingly playing for second place. But he pecked
away, and his fortunes quickly turned when he knocked in
a 30-footer for birdie on the 17th.
In the group behind, Mickelson’s momentum again was
slowed by a short putt when his two-footer went 270
degrees around the hole.
Tied for the lead, Mickelson took it right back with a big
drive that left him only a hybrid from 255 yards into 25
feet on No. 17 for a two-putt birdie. He was presumably
in good shape in the left rough on the 18th.
Howell kept his hopes alive by curling in his eight-foot
par putt to post at 16 under, forcing Mickelson to make
par to win.
Mickelson hit an 8-iron from 204 yards, trying to get the
ball to the front of the green and let it roll to the back, but
it failed to clear a mound leading to the 18th green, and
his chip came out flat to 18 feet. The putt never had a
chance, sending both players back to the 18th for a playoff
that lasted three holes and produced a huge win for
Howell.
Asked which was more meaningful, this event or ‘02 at
Kingsmill, the 27-year-old didn’t hesitate.
“This one,” he said. “Because of the five-year gap between
them. It’s been a long, long time since I won a title.”
PHOTO: STEVE GRAYSON/WIREIMAGE.COM