DEFENDING champion David Howell completed an unblemished 18 holes in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland today.

Howell shot a four-under-par round of 68 around the Old Course at St Andrews to leave him on six under for the tournament.

The Swindon ace birdied the third, fifth, ninth and tenth to lie just outside the top 30, although he was nine shots adrift of leader Oliver Wilson heading into the final day, which also takes place on the Old Course.