"He's a worthy champion" - Peter Uihlein heaps big praise on Charles Howell III after losing out in Mayakoba

US golfer Charles Howell III won the first event in the second season of LIV Golf at Mayakoba, Mexico. Fellow US golfer Peter Uihlein is all praise for the victor.

Howell registered a magnificent eight under par 63 in the final round to take home the title and secure $4 million. He also bagged a quarter of the $1 million prize for winning the team event with Crushers GC.

Former US Open champion and US golfer Bryson DeChambeau, as well as Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, are also on the team. They won the team event with 26 under par, nine shots ahead of last year's overall champions 4Aces GC, which includes Peter Uihlein, Pat Perez and Major champions Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson.

It was Howell's 14th time playing at the Mayakoba course. He said:

"I had a lot of experience here. I think having played it in the wind for so many years helped a little bit."

Uihlein was all praise for Howell, saying:

"He won it on the front. He did a heck of a job. There wasn't any pressure on him and he did exactly what he needed to do. He's a worthy champion."

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How did Charles Howell beat Peter Uihlein?

Peter Uihlein at the LIV Golf Invitational - Chicago - Day Three (Image via Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Charles Howell beat runners-up Peter Uihlein by four shots in a bogey-free final round in the season opener of LIV Golf's second edition in Mayakoba, Mexico.

Despite a late rally with four birdies over the final six holes, Uihlein, who was joint leader after the second of three rounds, was unable to catch Howell.

US golfer Talor Gooch, the other joint second-round leader, struggled in the final round and fell to 14th. South African golfer Branden Grace finished third at 10 under par, six strokes behind Howell, while English golfer Paul Casey finished fourth at seven under par.

The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Arizona, will host the second LIV Golf event of the 2023 season from March 17-20.