A DISATROUS triple bogey on the ninth hole of David Howell’s second round at the Indian Open in New Delhi has dropped him to nine-over for the tournament, placing him well outside the cut off.

Swindon’s Howell carded six-over on day two of the European Tour’s latest competition, ending any hopes of him making his first cut of the 2019 season.

The day started promisingly for the 43-year-old.

He recorded pars on each of the opening four holes to remain at three-over for the tournament and two-over the projected cut-off.

But, if his task wasn’t already hard enough, a double bogey on the par-three fifth dropped the former Ryder Cup winner to five-over for the tournament.

A first bogey of the day at the seventh added to his woes, before a birdie on the par-five eighth appeared to have rescued some spirit.

But then came the ninth – a triple bogey put pay to any slim chances Howell had of avoiding another early exit.

The back nine resulted in an improved performance, but it still wasn’t to the level Howell would expect from his own standards.

A birdie on the par-four 11th brought him to seven-over, but three more bogeys followed on the 13th, 16th and 18th.

A birdie on the par-five 15th offered little consolation to Howell, who shot 78 overall.