DAVID Howell feels that he is on the verge of qualifying for the Final Series tournaments after an impressive four days at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Although the Broome Manor pro was unable to retain the title he won last year, the fact that Howell managed to even take part in Scotland was remarkable.

The Swindon star said that when he went to bed on the Wednesday evening he had a ‘one per cent’ chance of taking part the following day due to neck spasms.

However, the 39-year-old not only recovered enough to participate he managed to finish inside the top 20 after shooting a final round of five-under-par 67 at St Andrews this afternoon.

That score, added to his four-under 68 yesterday, saw Howell end the tournament 10-under-par.

“It is very pleasing to finish how I did,” Howell told the Advertiser. “I was convinced when I went to bed on the Wednesday night that I was going home on Thursday morning.

“I had a one per cent chance of playing, I was in absolute agony, I could barely move an inch.

“So to have been out there and play the way I did was quite remarkable.”

Starting on the back nine on the Old course at St Andrews, Howell bogeyed the 13th before making the turn one-under for the round.

“I managed to get a lucky shot for a birdie on the 17th and then get another on 18,” the Swindon ace said.

“Playing the front-nine it is possible if you are playing nicely to get three or four-under so I’m really pleased to have done that.

“I could have quite easily been sat at home watching it.”

With four more tournaments until the Final Series, Howell is ranked 49th out of a possible 60 qualifiers.

“I think that I have probably done enough to get to the big events at the end of the season now,” he said. “Maybe one more reasonable week should be more than enough.”