DAVID Howell endured a rocky back nine as he launched his defence of the Alfred Dunhill Links title with a two-under-par 70 in Scotland yesterday.

Howell, whose participation was in doubt up until his mid-morning tee-off time with him suffering from a with a stiff neck, carded five birdies around the Carnoustie course in the pro-am event which is also played over the Old Course at St Andrews and Kingsbarns.

Carnoustie is traditionally the hardest of the three courses but was playing relatively easy in benign conditions, with the top three on the leaderboard all at the Open Championship venue, England’s Oliver Wilson leading the way on eight under par.

Howell certainly started well, with birdies at the third and fourth holes, followed by another at the ninth to reach the turn in 33 strokes.

However, a double bogey at the par four 12th slowed his progress and although he birdied the long 14th, another double bogey at the 17th dropped him back to one under par.

Howell, who was partnering actor Hugh Grant in the pro-am element of the event, at least concluded his round well, birdieing the 18th.

Heading into his second round at Kingsbarns this morning, Wilson led by one from France’s Raphael Jacquelin, with European Ryder Cup vice-captain Padraig Harrington a further shot back.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher was the best placed of the four heroes of Europe’s Ryder Cup team playing in the event, shooting a four under par 68 at Carnoustie.

World number one Rory McIlroy was back on one over par.