HAVING officially made his first cut of 2017, David Howell suffered a disappointing final day at the Volvo China Open.

The 41-year-old made the latter stages in Beijing with two successive rounds of 71 to leave him two-under-par overall.

Howell looked to produced one of his best rounds of the year on Saturday as he claimed five birdies before a double bogey six at the 15th saw him drop back to three-under for the day.

Having started the final day tied 40th, the two-Ryder Cup would have had hopes of breaking into the top 30 on Sunday.

However, the Broome Manor pro, despite picking up a birdie on the opening hole of his final round, quickly fell away.

Back-to-back bogeys, on five and six, saw Howell move to one-over for the day and four-under overall.

Howell steadied the ship as he parred the following 11 holes before a bogey five at the 17th saw him drop to two-over for the day and leave him ending the tournament three-under overall.

The Swindon ace, who picked up just under 8,500 euros for his efforts, was able to pick up some valuable Race to Dubai points as he moved up to 174th in the order of merit.

The China Open was eventually won by France’s Alexander Levy after he beat South Africa’s Dylan Fritelli on a play-off with both men finishing the four rounds 17-under-par.