SWINDON’S David Howell is in confident mood going into the Qatar Masters tomorrow following a string of impressive displays at the event in recent years.

The Broome Manor player has a good recent record at Doha Golf Club, finishing fifth in 2011 as well as securing placings in and around the top 20 on a handful of other occasions, and goes into this year’s tournament on the back of a decent showing at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship last week.

Howell knows the tough course is going to test him and the rest of the strong field assembled in Qatar, but after coping well with one of the longest courses on tour in Abu Dhabi last week sees no reason why he can’t keep his good recent run going.

“Historically I’ve had a good few chances to win in Qatar and it’s an event I’ve always enjoyed and done alright in, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“All in all my form’s pretty good so I’m feeling alright about it and, as always, the goal is to be in with a shot of winning with 18 holes to go.

“I do feel that Qatar is one event which works for me, although it hasn’t always panned out as well as I might have hoped for.

“The course is tough and has seemed to suit me for whatever reason over the years and it’s not that different to Abu Dhabi in some respects.”

Howell knows the heavy winds which usually swirl at the Middle East event could be a factor again this year but is still confident of significantly adding to €53,000 he has already won in 2014.

“It can be a pretty blustery place and the wind can cause you a few issues but I’ve always seemed able to get the ball round well enough and hopefully I can do that again.”

“It’s a strong field here and the conditions will be the same for every player so we will just have to see what happens.”

The Broome Manor player teed off at 4.35am UK time alongside Garth Mulroy and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares. To find out how he got on through the opening 18 holes log on to www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport later today.