DAVID Howell will be targeting his third consecutive top-10 finish at the Open de France when he tees off for his first round early this morning.

Howell was involved in a tie for fourth in 2012 and came joint eighth last year, an impressive record that ought to give him great confidence going into the event at Le Golf National.

The Broome Manor pro is looking to end a difficult run of form, which has seen him make the cut at just two of his last six tournaments.

Howell has only registered one top 10 return all year - at the Nordea Masters at the beginning of last month - while last week he crashed out of the BMW International Open following a second-round 73.

The former Ryder Cup star is due to tee off at 7.50am local time (6.50am BST), alongside Paul Waring and David Horsey.