General / Editor / 17 May 2007 /

David Howell says his hard work on the range has paid off and now believes he has the ability to make the breakthrough and win a major championship.

The 32-year-old Ryder Cup star has been putting in the hours with coach Clive Tucker to improve his long game, which he feels has let him down in the past, and is now confident of getting himself into contention at the US Open at Oakmont, which gets underway on June 14.

Howell told Sport magazine: "Well, it's great that people put me in that (potential major winner) bracket - to be thought of in those terms shows me how far I've come.

"It's a big step, but there's no reason why I can't give myself a good chance and be up there in a major with nine holes to play. I've had glimpses before, but never really put four good rounds together.

"I've always been a decent putter and had a pretty good short game, but I've worked hard on my long game, and that's paid off.

"When I've done well, it's because my long game has clicked - and when you win one or two tournaments, your confidence grows."

Howell also feels that Europe will have a number of challengers at the top of the leaderboard next month, and added: "Padraig (Harrington) always plays so well, Sergio (Garcia)'s been close before, Luke (Donald) always looks like he can win and (Paul) Casey's a talented guy.

"But I'm not really telling you anything you don't already know, am I? We have many great players - when one of us wins one, the floodgates might open."

All are likely to feature in the top European market when it opens nearer the time, but Betfair customers have world number one Tiger Woods as the clear market leader at 4.2, ahead of Phil Mickelson at 8.4.

Howell is currently a 200 chance in the outright marker, with Garcia the leading European at 42, ahead of Donald and Harrington (both at 48).

Sweden's Henrik Stenson is available at 50, while Casey can be backed at 90 and Justin Rose at 95.

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