DAVID Howell is looking forward to building on his solid start at the Tshwane Open today.

The Swindon golfer finished the opening round in South Africa three-under-par yesterday, having birdied the 13th, 14th and 15th holes.

Yet, despite a good round of 69 without dropping any shots, Howell admits that it could have gone even better.

And now he will be looking to move up the leaderboard when he tees off at 10am (GMT) with fellow Englishmen Chris Wood, who finished four under, and South African Jbe Kruger, who ended the opening round one under.

“It could have been an even better round for me,” Howell said. “There were no mistakes and I never looked like dropping a shot.

“Although I’m slightly frustrated, it is nice to be frustrated following a round of 69.”

Howell only arrived in South Africa the day before the start of the tournament after a flying visit to his chiropractor in London and was up for his first round at 4.45am.

But despite of all that he said he had no ill-affects from his late arrival.

“It was the best start I’ve had this year,” Howell admitted. “I had arrived late last year for different reasons and had a good start so it doesn’t seem to affect me.

“Had I shot a round of 75, then maybe I might have been wondering whether or not I should have come out earlier.

“The back is feeling OK, I felt it a little on the 16th, a few holes later than I usually feel it.”

Howell is now hoping that he can avoid the forecasted thunder storms in Centurion when he goes out this morning.

“It’ll be nice having a later start having got up at 4.45am yesterday,” he said. “But the forecast is not great so hopefully we can avoid the storms and have a clear round.”