DAVID Howell has shaken off a neck injury to start his defence of his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title at Carnoustie today.

The Swindon star woke up yesterday morning with a stiff neck and he was fearing that he would be unable to take to the St Andrews’ course today.

And after winning the title last season in a dramatic sudden death play-off with American Peter Uihlein, Howell will be looking to defend his crown and has got off to a good start.

Playing alongside Edoardo Molinari, the Broome Manor pro is currently two-under-par through five after getting back-to-back birdies on the par-four fourth and fifth.