DAVID Howell admitted his two dropped shots in the final two holes of his second round at the Scottish Open were a “bitter pill to swallow” on what was ultimately a good day’s golf.

The Broome Manor man carded one-under during his round, leaving him fifth in Aberdeen going into the weekend, but it could have been so much better had two shots not gone begging over the final two holes.

Prior to his lapse, Howell had started well with a birdie at the second, although he dropped a shot at the fourth, before carding an eagle at the sixth for the second day in a row. Two birdies at 10 and 11 put him in a very strong position before a bogey at 12 paved the way for two more dropped shots before the close.

Despite the blip, Howell is pleased to be four-under for the tournament and is confident of kicking on when play resumes today.

“It was one of those days where the back nine was brutal and although they’re tough holes I ultimately missed a three-footer on the last so that was a bitter pill to swallow and a bad end to a good day’s golf,” he said.

“I played well and had it going through to 11 and I’m in a great position, a couple behind but it’s disappointing to drop shots like that on the last. Saying that it doesn’t really matter where you miss them, it could be the first or it could be the last.

“One-under is a decent day and I’m firmly in contention which is very pleasing and being in the last few groups is really fun to do in big tournaments like this.

“The biggest positive though is that I’m hitting the ball well and hopefully that continues through to Sunday.”