Charles Howell fires another 68 to remain in contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational – Golf News
The United States’ Charles Howell added another 68 to his overall score on third day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, to finish four strokes off the pace set by Tiger Woods, with an 11-under par overall score.
Howell’s start to the third round was impressive as he carded back-to-back birdies on the first two holes that he played.
A 40-foot birdie on the very first hole was the longest putt he made on the sunny day at Bay Hill. The other came with a 15-foot putt, which, according to him, was his best shot of the day.
“You don’t expect to birdie the first two holes out here – especially No. 2,” he said, referring to the long par-three.
Apart from that, he again repeated a similar performance on the fourth and fifth holes. However, a bogey on the par-four eighth hole took him back to three-under par.
Yet, he kept his focus on the game and did not lose grip to score another birdie on the very first hole on the back nine.
On the final eight holes, he managed to record par shots on each hole to finish four-under par 68.
According to Howell, he has made many changes to his swing while working with his coach, Grant Waite, since October, 2011.
However, he has not applied all those changes in the game, as he is still in the process of creating the best swing technique.
“The biggest changes we’ve made have been difficult to take from the range to the course,” Howell said after getting into contention for a win in the tournament. “But we have spent a lot of time putting and that’s improved”.
Howell will now move to Augusta National to participate in the Masters Tournament after completing the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
According to Howell, Masters means a big thing to him. Yet, winning Arnold Palmer’s tournament is more than everything to him in the game of golf.
“When you’ve only won twice (on the PGA Tour) any tournament feels like a big thing, if you want to be honest,” Howell said.
He added, “The Isleworth club championship is a big thing. Sure, it would be big. Mr. Palmer is a big part of Orlando”.
Howell needs to carry on with his form in the final round if he really wants to earn a victory in Orlando district.
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