Monthly Archives: February 2007

Los Angeles golf fans discovered Charles Howell III five years, almost to the day, before his Nissan Open victory Sunday. He blistered the front 9 on the Saturday in 2002. Scroll down to read my column from that coming-out party.

Charles Howell’s long two-putt on the 14th hole closes out Phil Mickelson in a three-hole playoff tha’s the Nissan Open’s longest in a quarter-century. No less than Tom Watson beat none other than Johnny Miller on the third extra hole … Continue reading →

Phil Mickelson’s putt from the fringe takes a hop and comes up maybe 10 feet short of the flagstick, and that’s the final twist of a gut-wrenching Sunday at Riviera Country Club. Charles Howell’s chip almost goes in, going four … Continue reading →

It’s a 176-yard par-3. Phil Mickelson’s 7-iron is way short, barely on the green. Charles Howell’s 7 fluffs up right next to Phil’s. Anybody know what time it gets dark out here? At the start of the playoff, all the … Continue reading →

Phil Mickelson’s long catches the rough and leaves him a 12-foot putt for the birdie and the win. The putt slides left of the cup and almost three feet past. Mickelson and Charles Howell both make their short putts, and … Continue reading →

Charles Howell knocks his drive (a 3-wood) onto a cart path behind some trees to the left of the fairway on the 314-yard 10th hole. Phil Mickelson drives into the fairway. Howell could take a free drop but elects to … Continue reading →

Charles Howell sinks the pressure putt, and Phil Mickelson claps him on the shoulder as they walk on to the 10th tee, the second hole of sudden death. The 10th is where Howell lost the 2003 playoff to Mike Weir. … Continue reading →

Sudden-death playoff, 18th hole. Phil Mickelson’s long putt fromthe right fringe almost bends in! He taps in for par to put all kinds of pressure on Charles Howell. And now Howell’s chip comes up 4 feet short! The tournament comes … Continue reading →

Phil Mickelson’s second shot crosses to the right fringe of the green, and he’ll have a long putt for birdie. Charles Howell’s skips over the green, leaving a chip with little room to roll. Rate Mickelson a slight advantage.

They start at the 18th, and (if necessary) will go to the 10th, then the 14th, then the 18th. Phil Mickelson drives left, same as minutes ago on 18, which didn’t work out too well. Charles Howell drives right, like … Continue reading →