DAVID Howell endured a mixed 18 holes in the opening round of the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The Swindon star got off to a perfect start in Kuala Lumpur picking up a birdie three on the opening hole.

However, the Broome Manor pro then bogeyed the next two holes before claiming another birdie on five to go out in level par.

The 39-year-old picked up another shot on 11 with a birdie, but bogeys on 13 and 14 saw Howell end the day on one over par.