Genesis Invitational: Charles Howell III Struggles Again
By Tim Letcher
Charles Howell III is in the midst of some struggles on the golf course. Unfortunately for him, those struggles continued on Thursday in the first round of the Genesis Invitational.
Howell’s day started quietly enough. Playing the back nine first, Howell recorded pars on the 10th, 11th and 12th holes. But it was the rest of his first nine that would be dreadful for Howell.
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It started on the 13th hole, where his drive found the right rough. His second shot got him on the green, but he was about 50 feet from the hole. His first putt left him about 12 feet for par and he missed that putt to record his first bogey of the day.
On the par-3 14th hole, things got worse for Howell. His tee ball landed in the front, greenside bunker. His second shot flew to the other side of the green, leaving him 50 feet for par. His putt got him to about six feet for bogey, but he missed that putt and suffered a double bogey.
Howell’s struggles continued on the 15th hole. He hit the fairway with his drive, and reached the green in regulation. But his putter let him down again. His birdie putt, from 38 feet, missed by nearly 10 feet. His par putt also slid by, leaving Howell with another bogey.
On the 16th hole, a par three, Howell found another bunker. He hit a decent bunker shot, to about seven feet. But, you guessed it, he missed the putt. Howell was five over on four holes.
He would par the 17th but he suffered another bogey on the 18th hole. He shot a 6-over par 42 on his first nine.
Howell’s second nine was not as bad, but still was not great.
He would bogey the second hole after finding rough off the tee and another bunker. He was 7-over at that point.
Howell would suffer his final bogey of the day on the fifth hole. Again, his putter let him down as he missed a seven-footer for par. He was 8-over on his round, which is where he finished, shooting a 79. Howell is currently in last place at Riviera.
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This is a troubling trend for Howell. He shot 72-70 at the American Express to miss the cut. Then at the Farmers Insurance Open, he shot 80 on the first day to take him out of contention. Even a 67 on Friday could not get him inside the cut line.
Howell is headed for his third straight missed cut after having a decent start to the season. He needs to get things going in the right direction but that’s not happening this week.