• Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Round Four

Howell edges Uihlein in St Andrews play-off

Howell shows off his first European Tour trophy in seven years © PA Photos

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England's David Howell has won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after defeating young American Peter Uihlein in the second play-off hole at St Andrews.

Howell set the clubhouse target of 23-under after a final-round 67, and then watched on from the edge of the 18th as overnight leader Uihlein set up a 15-foot birdie putt to take the title.

But the young American's effort slipped just wide and the pair headed for the first hole for a sudden-death play-off.

Both players carded pars at the opening extra hole, and play switched to the 18th where Howell sank a six-footer for birdie while his opponent could only manage a four.

"It's incredible," Howell said after winning his first title since 2006. "I have never played in an Open Championship here but to win a golf tournament as a professional at the Home of Golf is quite amazing and I am really thrilled.

"I was really nervous all week and strangely less nervous today, I can't explain that at all. I stayed calm and smooth under pressure and that was really pleasing."

Howell won the inaugural HSBC Champions, now a WGC event, in November 2005 and the BMW Championship the following May to move in to the world's top 10 for the first time. But a dramatic slump in form saw the Swindon-born star fall out of the top 200. He began this week ranked 176th.

"It's been a long, long road from the depths of despair. I have had a lot of support from people around me and this is as much for them as it is for me."

Uihlein, looking to become the first rookie to win twice in his maiden season since Sergio Garcia, said: "He made more putts than I did at the end of the day and he did great.

"Hats off to David, he played great and made a nice birdie so congratulations to him. I just didn't make the putts when I needed to come out and that's the way it is."

Ireland's Shane Lowry and young Englishman Tom Lewis finished tied for third at 22-under after finishing with 68 and 64 respectively. The result should be enough for Lewis to retain his Tour card for next season.

Tommy Fleetwood continued his superb season, finishing fifth at 21-under, with South Africa's Garth Mulroy in sixth at 20-under.

Chris Wood, Charl Schwartzel, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Levet and Ricardo Gonzalez tied for seventh at 19-under.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship final leaderboard

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