PGA Tour: The most dominant players of the West Coast Swing

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: Justin Thomas waits to hit on the 12th hole fairway during the second round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 15, 2019 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: Justin Thomas waits to hit on the 12th hole fairway during the second round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 15, 2019 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Charles Howell III of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Sony Open. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Charles Howell III of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Sony Open. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

His fall victory at the RSM Classic restored Howell to the ranks of plausible tour contenders, and he’s taken advantage of that re-energized status on the coast. His five starts included two top 10s and four top 20s, the only relatively weak showing occurring at the Desert Classic, where he tied for 34th.

He did well in Hawaii, coupling a tie  for 14th at the Sentry Tournament Of Champions with a tie for eighth at the Sony.

At this past week’s Genesis Open, Howell largely went about his business out of range of the TV cameras, but still produced a four-round total of nine under par 275 that earned a solo sixth place finish.

He might have contended at the Farmers as well, but a third round 75 sent him lurching back into a tie for 20th. His other three rounds all ranged between 66 and 70.

For the swing, Howell’s 20 rounds including 18 with scores of 70 or below, his only slips being that third round at the Farmers and an opening 74 at the Sentry TOC.

It all amounts to the start of a significant upgrade for Howell, who heads for the WGC Mexico and then Florida ranking fifth in the FedEx Cup standings. He hasn’t been top 20 on the Fed Ex Cup list since 2007.