Howell leads in Munich
David Howell leads as the field scrap it out for Ryder Cup places
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Thursday, 31, Aug 2006 08:57
David Howell shares a four-way lead after the first round of the BMW International Open in Munich having carded a strong 67.
Garry Houston of Wales, Swede Martin Erlandsson and Englishman Gary Evans join Howell at the top of the leaderboard in a competition that is about points rather than prizes for many players.
With the Ryder Cup just three weeks away, the tournament is the last chance for various European players to press their case for inclusion in Ian Woosnam's team.
Some of the field are attempting to make their way into the team of 12 as one of the ten best-ranked Europeans who are automatically selected.
Thomas Bjorn, John Bickerton, Johan Edfors and Paul Broadhurst are all gunning for Jose Maria Olazabal's position with the Spaniard pulling out of this event through tiredness.
A win by any of the quartet would propel them into the team at the veteran's expense and raise even more questions about his absence from Germany.
Luckily for Olazabal, Bjorn is the highest placed at just one-under par, but a late charge for any of those contenders could still see him left dependent of the whim of Woosnam.
Another route to the K Club is as one of the captain's wildcards and Lee Westwood has shown the sort of form that may secure him a call-up.
The Englishman is just one shot off the lead in spite of suspected tonsillitis and is determined to keep playing through the pain to prove himself.
"If it was not the last Ryder Cup event I would certainly be in bed," he said.