BROOME Manor pro David Howell fired a much-improved second round of three-under-par at the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa this morning.

The Swindonian could only go round in four-over yesterday and was virtually at the base of the 35-strong elite field, but it was a different story on this occasion.

One-under at the turn, Howell made further gains at the 10th, 14th and 15th.

The 38-year-old's only bogeys came at the seventh and 11th.

There is no cut at Durban Country Club and Howell goes into day three on one-over.

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Swindon Advertiser.