A DISAPPOINTING final round saw David Howell finish 63rd at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Broome Manor pro had carded three under-par rounds in his previous three outings to stand on the cusp of the top 50 heading into Sunday’s final day of play at the Emirates Golf Club but the 40-year-old toiled, finishing five-over to finish just five places above the cut.

Howell was unable to chip away at his score during his opening nine rounds, bogeying the par-five third, par-four sixth and par-four ninth as his total increased.

The Swindon ace also bogeyed the 12th and got into significant trouble on the par-five 13th, taking seven shots to find the mark as his copybook was blotted with a double-bogey.

A birdie on the 18th did little to add any shine to Howell’s afternoon as he carded a disappointing round of 77.

Sheffield’s Danny Willett holed a dramatic 15-foot putt to clinch the title with a three-under-par final round.