David Howard shared a handshake with Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson on the back of the 17th green and he will be hoping it won’t be the last after his dream run at the South of Ireland came to an end in Lahinch.
Howard fell to a 2&1 defeat to Welshman Tomi Bowen despite holding a 2UP lead after seven. Bowen will face compatriot Sean David in an all Wales final on All Ireland Final day.
Howard, who felt he needed to win this week to clinch a Walker Cup spot, is still harbouring hopes of getting the call up for that in September and the Home Internationals for Ireland in Woodbrook in a fortnight.
“I have no idea what Dean’s thoughts are, heard nothing on Homes either! We will see, it’s not up to me I did all I can so we will see.”
It brings an end to a sensational run which saw Howard qualify for the Open Championship, win the Interpros as part of the Munster team when come within a whisker of making the cut at Royal Birkdale last week.
“It’s been unbelievable I have had some support from everyone it’s unbelievable. The support and the reception on the first tee at the Open. Even today the crowd was unbelievable and I’m sure most of them were for me so I can’t thank them enough.”
As for the match, the Fota Island man made the perfect start when he stitched his approach to the first for a birdie to go 1UP. He matched Bowen’s birdie on the second and returned 1UP with a birdie on the 4th.
Things looked to be going swimmingly when he moved 2UP through seven holes but a tugged approach to the 8th and a lost ball on 9 saw momentum swing in favour of Bowen as the tie moved into the back nine all square.
An errant approach to the par-5 12th where he took three shots to get on the green from the left fescue saw Howard fall behind for the first time. He then pushed his tee shot right of the drivable par-4 13th and was only able to advance his second by a couple of yards. All of a sudden he was two down with five to play.
He did manage to halve the deficit on the 14th but a bogey on the next cost him the hole and Bowen held his nerve with pars on 16 and 17 to progress to the all Welsh final.
“I just didn’t have it today, got off to a good start making birdies on the first couple of holes. Birdied four as well. Just didn’t make any putts and didn’t have it on the back nine,” said Howard.
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