PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Charles Howell IIISunday at Mayakoba was his last chance to win. His putter worked for an 8-under score of 63 to win by 4 shots the LIV Golf Invitational.
Howell made seven birdies in El Camaleons 10th hole to win. He then received some help. Peter UihleinThree tee shots were needed on the 12th hole to achieve a triple bogey. This removed any drama from the final round.
Howell won in his sixth LIV golf start and was awarded $4 million. Additionally, he was awarded $1 million for leading his Crushers in a nine-shot victory.
LIV Golfs opening event of a 14-tournament calendar was a happy occasion for Howell, a 42 year-old Augusta, Georgia native who won only three times in the 23 seasons and 607 starts on PGA Tour.
Howell said, It is great. Its a big win, and we got the team victory.
Two of his three PGA Tour victories were in playoffs and the other was a 2-shot winner.
Howell had a bogey-free round. His birdies were mostly in the 8-to-15 foot range. He was able to run off four consecutively and rarely made mistakes.
Howell played 13 times at Mayakoba during a PGA Tour event. His best finish was a tie for fourth.
Howell said, Ive been here many times, so it was familiar to me what to expect. Around this area, there are double bogeys everywhere so you never know.
Uihlein, a fellow Oklahoma State alum, took that lead and began the final round with Uihlein. Talor Gooch.
Uihlein still was in the mix when Uihlein snappe-hooked the drive into the woods. He hit a provisional to replace a lost ball, and he sent that one into the trees to his right. After trying to remove a bunch of limbs, and considering a penalty for a non-playable lie, he decided to return to the tee.
It was a triple-bogey. Uihlein made the most out of the final six holes, with enough birdies for a total of 68 to place second, worth $2125,000.
Uihlein smiled at being asked what he would do differently and replied, Skip 12th.
He said, Im proud to the way I fought. It was an excellent day, apart from that hole. Other than those three tee shots it was a solid week from the tee.
Branden GraceHad a 67 and came in third with $1.5 million. Gooch scored a 76, and was ranked in the top 10.
Howell was 16-under 268 and won his first major since Sea Island at 2019s end. He has now earned just $8 million from six starts with LIV Golf. Thats nearly the same amount as his five seasons on PGA Tour.
Dustin JohnsonLIVs debut season saw a record 78 for the winner and a tie for 35th.
