TWO birdies in the final three holes left David Howell in an upbeat mood after the Swindon golfer began the BMW PGA Championship with a one-over round of 73 today.

Broome Manor man Howell found himself at three-over after 15 holes at the European Tour’s flagship event, but clawed shots back at both 16 and 17 to leave him positioned in the middle of the leaderboard at Wentworth.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard is the early leader after shooting a bogey-free seven-under round of 65.

Howell’s round began in frustrating fashion after a three-putt from close range at the third hole saw him register a double bogey.

The 42-year-old bounced back brilliantly, though, and birdies at holes four and five followed, although Howell still found himself one-over at the turn after a bogey on the eighth.

Things threatened to unravel over the back nine as Howell posted further bogeys at the 13th and 15th holes to drop back to three-over.

However, Howell – who won this tournament back in 2006 – galvanised himself for a grandstand finish with back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17.

He threatened another at the 18th, with Howell’s birdie putt coming up just short as he had to settle for a one-over 73.

“Those two birdies were really important. I just wasn’t quite on it for most of the day,” said Howell.

“Maybe I was a little bit tight as it’s such a big event. I certainly had some adrenaline going early on.

“I hit a horrible three-putt from nowhere on the third but fought back well and didn’t do a whole lot wrong from there, but a couple of missed shots and one bad drive and all of a sudden you are three-over thinking ‘Oh, crikey’.

“So it was very important to come back with those two birdies.

“I hit a great shot coming down 16 and I felt like I was swinging the club better over the last few holes. I needed to make something happen and I did.”

After glorious weather in Surrey over Tuesday and Wednesday’s practice rounds, the players were greeted by wet weather as they began the competitive action.

Howell felt that should have made for some good scoring.

“Conditions were ideal,” said Howell.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday it was sunny and windy, so the course was playing longer in some ways.

“We didn’t see this coming, there wasn’t a breath of wind all day. I am not sure what is coming on Friday, but we will tackle whatever it throws at us.”

Fellow Wiltshire player Jordan Smith declared himself content with his first-round effort following a one-under 71.

Derry Hill’s Smith said: “Anything in the red after the first day is always good. I hit a lot of good shots, although I hit some terrible ones too. Overall, I am pretty happy.

“There was a bit of a wobble before the turn, but you know you have three par-fives on the back nine. With me being quite aggressive, I looked to take advantage of that."

Howell is amongst the early starters in Friday’s second round, teeing at 8.55am alongside fellow Englishman Charlie Ford and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.