Howell joins stable-mates in winners' club

Swindon's David Howell, who two months ago was in hospital fearing he had broken his ankle or leg playing tennis, was last night celebrating his first victory on the European golf tour. And what a victory.

The 23-year-old, in only his second tournament back from what proved to be only a ligament and Achilles tendon injury, demolished the star-studded field to win the Dubai Desert Classic by four strokes at Dubai Creek.

Howell, joint-overnight leader with Australian Wayne Riley, fired a brilliant closing round of 67 to capture the £141,660 first prize with a 13-under-par total of 275.

Ireland's Paul McGinley, who had seen his chance of victory slip away with a 75 on Saturday, equalled Howell's 67 yesterday to finish joint third with Ryder Cup captain Mark James to earn £47,855.

McGinley's finish also moved him up to 11th in the European Ryder Cup table.

"That's the best round I've ever played under pressure," said a jubilant Howell, sipping champagne and holding a Valentine's Day rose.

"I was so focused that I didn't look at a leader-board until the 14th."

"A fantastic performance" was how runner-up Lee Westwood described the display of his stable-mate, and equally impressed was James.

"I played a practice round with David at the Open two years ago," said James.

"He was long and wild, so to win round here he is obviously no longer wild."

Some of the fiercest rough encountered on tour - British Open and Masters champion Mark O'Meara, who finished only 24th, said it was the worst he had ever seen - held no fears for the former British boys champion.

Howell went to the turn in a spectacular 31, with an eagle and three birdies, and when he followed that by pitching to within a foot of the hole on the long 10th for another birdie he was six clear and the rest were playing for second place.

Westwood took that by matching Howell's final round, and while the Worksop 25-year-old was delighted to keep a bogey off his card for the last 43 holes - a week after missing the cut in the Malaysian Open - he was only too happy to let the Wiltshire golfer have centre stage.

The tennis injury came on Howell's return from winning the Australian PGA championship in November by seven shots, but Westwood believes that the previous week's Visa Taiheiyo Masters in Japan was the turning point.

Westwood won for the third year running and Howell was 16th, but Westwood said: "That gave him a clue that he was a better player than he gave himself credit for.

"Sometimes you need the proof that you are good enough and David was thrown into the lion's den there. His confidence went up and I think there will be a lot more wins to come."

McGinley, another member of the same stable, added: "David was a streaky player, but working with Pete Cowen (Westwood's coach) has taken a lot of the streak out. He's more consistent now."

Howell turned professional in 1995 after sinking the putt that gave Britain and Ireland victory in the Walker Cup against an American side that included Tiger Woods.

Since then he has made steady progress, finishing 54th, 47th and 32nd on the Order of Merit. Now, with this win, he is top, ahead of Ernie Els and Westwood.

Colin Montgomerie, winner of the money list crown for the past six seasons, came joint fifth in his first appearance of the year.

"I hit the ball great, but didn't putt well enough," said the Scot. "I'm quite happy with where I've finished, though."

Asked if it was a shock to see somebody reach 14-under on a course where nobody was predicting such a low winning score, Montgomerie displayed the confidence that has made him Europe's number one for so long by replying: "It was a shock it was not me."

With the Andersen Consulting World Matchplay Championship beginning in California in only 10 days, Montgomerie plans to again link up with American short-game expert Dave Pelz once he arrives in the States.

"I'll work with him sometime during the week - and hopefully on the Sunday before the final," he said.

Westwood said: "I'm certainly going to America with more confidence than I had a week ago.

"There's still a lot of work to be done, but hopefully with a few days' practice I will be ready."

James three-putted the last to allow Westwood to be second on his own, but stated: "That's as well as I've played since 1997 (his last win) - and maybe longer.

"Sometimes you work on the right things at the start of the year and it just clicks."

The 45-year-old still dismisses the thought of being a playing captain in Boston in September even if his form continues.

"It's tough enough to be captain and keep breathing, let alone playing," he joked.

Scot Peter Downie, the host club's professional who had exceeded his wildest dreams to be second at halfway, followed his third day 75 with a 78, dropping seven shots over the closing seven holes.