Charles Howell III did something last year that Tiger Woods, his good friend, has never done. And he'll do something next week that Woods has never done – he'll defend a title at Riviera Country Club during the Northern Trust Open, formerly the Nissan Open and Los Angeles Open.
No offense to Howell, the 2007 Nissan Open champion, but Southern California golf fans seem more concerned about whether the guy who has never won at Riviera will show up.
Howell understands. He knows the stage is bigger, the excitement is greater and the galleries are larger when Woods tees it up.
That's why Howell says he also is hoping Woods plays next week, even though it probably reduces his chances of repeating with the world's top-ranked player in the field.
In the meantime, Howell is content to enjoy the temporary bragging rights of having won a tournament at Riviera, one of the rare titles that has eluded Woods since turning professional in 1996.
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