English golfer David Howell poses on the Swilcan Bridge with the trophy after winning the The Alfred Dunhill Links Championships golf competition on The Old Course at St Andrews, Fife, Scotland on September 29, 2013. (AFP)
Glasgow (AFP) – England's David Howell claimed his first European Tour title in seven years after beating American Peter Uihlein in a play-off to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.
Having completed a final round of 67, Howell saw overnight leader Uihlein fail to sink a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at St Andrews that would have given the American the title.
With the pair tied on 23 under par, the match went to a sudden death play-off and 38-year-old Howell prevailed on the second hole when he sank a birdie putt from eight feet after Uihlein had left his own putt inches short.
"It's incredible. The sun is shining and the crowd have come out," said Howell, who had lost all four of his previous play-offs.
"I have never played in an Open Championship here, but to win a golf tournament as a professional at the Home of Golf is quite amazing and I am really thrilled.
"I was really nervous all week and strangely less nervous today. I can't explain that at all. I stayed calm and smooth under pressure and that was really pleasing.
"It's been a long, long road from the depths of despair. I have had a lot of support from people around me and this is as much for them as it is for me."
Ireland's Shane Lowry and Englishman Tom Lewis missed out on competing in the play-off by a shot, with Lewis carding a superb final round of 64 and Lowry a 68.
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