Charles Howell III really wants to go home to Augusta in April

By David Salituro | Nov 16, 2018

SEA ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Charles Howell lll hits a shot on the third hole tee box during the second round of The RSM Classic at the Sea Island Resort Seaside Course on November 16, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR) /

Charles Howell III, the 39-year-old Augusta, Georgia native, leads the RSM Classic by three thru two rounds with a trip back home for the Masters at stake.

The old saying is “home is where the heart is,” and for Charles Howell III, his heart is in Augusta, Georgia. Now the 39-year-old is two rounds away from booking a trip back there in April.

Howell shot a second consecutive round of 64 at the Seaside course of Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia on Friday and leads the RSM Classic by three shots after 36 holes.

A win in his home state this weekend would not only be Howell’s third PGA Tour title, it would ensure his spot in the field for the Masters in April. He last played Augusta in 2012, and admits the tournament holds a special significance for him.

“At this point in my career, I don’t want to miss any majors,” Howell told Golf Digest in August. “I haven’t played in the Masters since 2012 and that’s the most important tournament in the world to me, especially having grown up in Augusta. If I’ve learned one thing in my career it’s that you can’t win the Masters sitting on your couch.”

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Not only has it been awhile since Howell played in front of his home crowd, he hasn’t experienced a PGA Tour victory in 11 years. His last win came at the Nissan Open in 2007, when his closest challenger this week, Cameron Champ, was still in grade school. Howell does have six runner-up finishes since that win. His first PGA Tour title came as a 23-year-old at the Michelob Championship in 2002.

Despite being a regular on the PGA Tour for more than 17 years, Howell admits he doesn’t have much experience playing with such a big lead. He has yet to make a bogey thru the first two rounds, and says he’s hitting the ball as well this week as he has in his entire career.

“I’ve almost done everything in my career, but playing with a lead isn’t one thing I’ve really done a whole lot,” he said after his round on Friday. “I could talk to you about finishing second or third a lot. As many golf tournaments as I’ve played, this is still relatively new for me.”

Champ, the long-hitting, 23-year-old rising star on tour, and Jason Gore are tied for second at 11-under, three behind Howell. Champ birdied his last four holes on Friday to shoot seven-under 63 and finish inside the top-10 for the 11th time in his last 14 rounds.

The 44-year-old Gore, who quit pro golf a year ago to become an insurance salesman and is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, matched Champ’s 63. Gore’s lone PGA Tour win came back in 2005 at the 84 Lumber Classic.

“I’m just an insurance salesman now, so I was just kind of rolling with it,” Gore said. “It’s honestly the truth. Didn’t know what to expect, I’m just kind of going with it.”

Tournament host Davis Love III, who held a share of the lead at one point in the opening round, is tied for 34th, while his son, Dru Love, made the cut on the number.