Howell gets into swing of searching for second title

PACIFIC PALISADES, California, Feb 16 (Reuters) American Charles Howell III has eased back on his obsession with swing mechanics in a bid to win a second PGA Tour title.

The 27-year-old, whose only victory came at the 2002 Michelob Championship, has finished runner-up 10 times on the world's biggest circuit.

''The best thing I can do is keep giving myself chances,'' Howell told reporters after charging into contention with a six-under-par 65 in the Nissan Open second round yesterday.

''Just having that chance and getting there, that's a massive difference from playing golf just trying to finish as well as we can. I feel I'm getting closer.'' Twice a runner-up in his first four PGA Tour starts of the year, Howell believes he is learning important lessons with every close call.

''If you look at why I did not play well at the end of the Sony Open, I didn't drive the ball in the fairway enough,'' he said of his tie for second behind fellow American Paul Goydos in Hawaii last month.

''But San Diego, the back nine there against Tiger (Woods), I drove the ball better. So things are improving.'' Howell finished one stroke behind winner Woods at the Buick Invitational three weeks ago after closing with a 68.

LOWEST POSITION After struggling for much of last season on his way to 52nd in the PGA Tour money list, his lowest position in the last five years, Howell decided to change his work ethic.

''I've done a better job this season of dividing my time better and, first and foremost, giving more time to my putting,'' he said after ending Friday's second round on eight-under 134, three strokes behind co-leaders Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

''I'm a range rat. I love to hit balls. I love the mechanics of the swing, I love how things work.

''I can spend seven or eight hours on the driving range pretty easily. And then you go: 'Well, there is 30 minutes left for chipping and 30 minutes left for putting, and we're done.' ''Have I gone overboard with it in the past, chasing the perfect swing? Sure, but hopefully I've learned from that.

''It's now a question of simplifying one or two things that we work on before moving to something else.'' Augusta native Howell, who grew up close to Augusta National Golf Club, the permanent home of the Masters, said his struggles midway through last year spurred him into action.

''I got caught up in the mechanics a little bit and it was quite a hindrance to play in,'' he said. ''The divide between playing golf and the golf swing got a little big.

''In that regard, I'm a lot better now. I still hit plenty of bad shots but my misses are better. I'm in the fairway more often and I know a couple of things I can go back to just to get it going again.'' Reuters SAM DB0952