DAVID Howell is feeling very positive about his chances as he prepares to begin his BMW International Open campaign.

The Broome Manor pro tees off at 11am today, alongside Alvaro Quiroz and Branden Grace, looking to make a top 10 return - having enjoyed his first of the season at the Nordea Masters earlier this month.

At the time of the Swedish tournament the 39-year old was putting well but going through the process of tinkering with his swing but is now feeling much more comfortable with his all-round game.

Howell is a previous winner at the tournament in Germany, back in 2005, and will be looking to repeat that feat, though the course is not the same as when he won.

Speaking to the Advertiser whilst on his practice round at the Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof Howell said: “I’m feeling good actually, the best I’ve felt in a while. I’m as positive, upbeat and confident as I have been for some time.”

“It’s nice that I’m coming into the tournament feeling good, at a venue and tournament I like and somewhere I have played well in the past.,” he added.

“The swing is feeling quite good, much better than last week. I hit a couple of good mental keys on Monday, which is positive.

“The way I played on Monday and during today’s practice left me feeling very positive. Hopefully it’ss good timing for the tournament.

“When I won it the tournament it was not at this course, last year it was in Munich but this time it’s in Köln, but both courses are similar and I know them well. It’s in great condition, the greens are good, the crowds get bigger year on year - it’s a nice solid European Tour event.

“The course here in Köln is maturing, it’s very fair, there are no real blind spots so you can play what you see, some of the rough can be a bit challenging when it gets wet but otherwise it’s fine.

“It’s not the most demanding of course, it’s a (Jack) Nicholaus design and he’s done a good job of it to be fair but it’s not too challenging.”

Follow Howell’s progress on www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk throughout the tournament.