David Howell Named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for May

England’s David Howell has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for May following his outstanding five stroke victory in the BMW Championship – The Players’ Flagship at Wentworth Club. Howell fashioned a near flawless performance over the refined West Course to collect a first prize of €708,330 (£481,536) and extend his lead at the top of the Order of Merit with €1,789,097 (£1,216,262).

Howell’s victory, his fourth on The European Tour International Schedule and the third in his last 15 starts, came in a month in which he also finished tied 11^th in The Quinn Direct British Masters behind another strong May contender, Johan Edfors of Sweden, who won his second title of the season at The De Vere Belfry.

There were several outstanding candidates for the May award in addition to Howell and Edfors. Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win the Telecom Italia Open since 1980 as he collected his debut European Tour triumph in Milan, while Denmark’s Thomas Björn claimed his ninth Tour title at the Nissan Irish Open at Carton House Golf Club.

However, Howell turned The European Tour’s Flagship Championship into a one-man show on the final day at Wentworth Club and commented: “I was overwhelmed by winning the BMW Championship – it supersedes everything else I have done, even beating Tiger (Woods) in China. This is as big as it gets on The European Tour. Outside the four Majors, this is the one to win.”

The Golfer of the Month Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to December for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition, and at the end of the year the panel will select The European Tour Golfer of the Year.