ST. ANDREWS -- Englands David Howell ended a seven-year winless drought with a playoff victory over American Peter Uihlein to capture the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday. The former Ryder Cup player birdied the second extra hole with a 12-foot putt to defeat Uihlein. Both players had ended regulation play on 23-under par on the Old Course with Howell shooting 5-under 67 and Uihlein 3-under 69. "To nail that birdie putt to win is pretty sweet," Howell said. "I was zero and 5 in playoffs so I felt as though I deserved one." Howell beat Tiger Woods in 2006 to win the inaugural HSBC Champions event and has played more than 200 tournaments since his last victory in the BMW Championship later that year. Englands Tom Lewis (64) and Irelands Shane Lowry (68) shared third place at 22 under. Howell began the final round two strokes behind Uihlein but then burst into contention with five birdies in his opening seven holes, including four in succession from the fourth hole. However, Howell played the last nine in par while Uihlein, competing in the event for a first occasion, also stalled in completing his inward nine in 1-under. Both players parred the first extra hole before Howell sealed a fifth European Tour victory. "Hats off to David, (he) played great, made a nice birdie," said Uihlein. "He made more putts than I did at the end of the day." Howells win moves him back into the worlds top 100 and also to 12th in the Race to Dubai, qualifying him for the European Tours end-of-season final series for the first time in his career. "Its a dream to be back in the big time as its been a long, long road from the depths of despair to get here today," Howell said. Uihlein, who was looking to become the first American to win the tournament, moved to 10th on the Race to Dubai. Frenchman Thomas Levet and amateur David Sayer won the pro-am team event with a 40-under tally. Howell was teamed with actor Hugh Grant and joked afterward: "We have been a terrible partnership in this event." The pair tied 9th on 33-under. ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. [url=http://www.francesoccerjerseystore.com/World-Cup-Loic-Remy-France-Jersey/]L... Remy France Jersey . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. ... . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. [url=http://www.francesoccerjerseystore.com/World-Cup-Olivier-Giroud-France-Jers... Giroud Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St.Eugenie Bouchards days of playing lower-tier events and working through qualifying draws appear to be over. The Canadian tennis players first full season on the WTA Tour was a strong one. She has risen to No. 32 in the world rankings and will likely be seeded at the first Grand Slam event of the 2014 season. Bouchard scored some big victories this year and proved she can hang on court with the sports elite. Her next mission is to build on that momentum as she looks ahead to next year. "Ive always believed in my skill," Bouchard said Friday on a conference call. "I think it was just a matter of time for me to get to this level. But then again, I dont want to stay here. "I want to work hard in the off-season and get ready for 2014 and try to improve as fast as I can and even more for next year." At just 19 years of age, Bouchard posted impressive victories this past season over big names like Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and Sloane Stephens. The young Canadian pushed Venus Williams to three sets last month in Tokyo and reached her first Tour final this month at the Japan Open. Not bad for a player who was ranked No. 144 in the world at the end of the 2012 season. Bouchard was also given heavy promotional treatment at last summers Rogers Cup in Toronto. Her matches were given showcourt attention and she performed admirably in the brighter spotlight. "I do like it, its part of the job," she said. "I thinnk the harder I work and the better I do, that will happen more often.dddddddddddd" Bouchard doesnt have a specific ranking goal for next season. She simply wants to improve all facets of her game and get stronger by continuing to play the top players on tour. One area where she noticed an improvement of late was her on-court transition from defence to offence. She also feels her mental game is better. "Ive played big matches and gained so much experience," she said. "Ive played on centre court at the French Open, centre court at Wimbledon and at Louis Armstrong (stadium court) at the U.S. Open. Those are big matches and big moments that really have given me a lot of confidence and strength and experience." Bouchard, who is from Westmount, Que., but trains primarily with coach Nick Saviano in Florida, has a 39-24 record this year and earned over US$415,000 in prize money. Her top highlight was beating Ivanovic on Centre Court at the All-England Club, the same venue where Bouchard won the Wimbledon junior title a year earlier. "It was an amazing feeling," she said. "In tennis you cant get a bigger stage than that." Bouchards 2014 campaign will kick off during the holiday season at the Hopman Cup mixed tennis team tournament in Perth, Australia. She will team up with Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., for the Dec. 28-Jan. 4 event before continuing preparations for the Australian Open. [url=http://www.cheapnfljerseys2015.us.com/]cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '