DAVID Howell admits that his three weeks in South Africa couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Broome Manor pro heads into the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco, which starts today, on the back of some impressive displays.

During his time in South Africa, the Swindon ace banked more than 100,000 euros in prize money and finished nine of his 12 rounds with a score under 70.

He also claimed a tied second place at the Joburg Open but more importantly qualified for this year’s Open at St Andrews.

While Howell is the first to admit that the quality of the field in those three tournaments wasn’t the strongest, it was just the ticket to get his season on track.

“Those three weeks in South Africa did me the world of good,” Howell told the Advertiser while on a practice round in Morocco.

“My confidence is now at a completely different level to where it was before.

“I know the field in South Africa wasn’t the strongest, but it was just what I needed.”

Prior to the European Tour heading to Africa, Howell’s 2015 campaign had been one made up mainly of lows as he failed to make the cuts at the Malaysian Open, Qatar Masters and the Abu Dhabi Championships.

But now Howell is only looking forward after taking the week off.

“I played beautifully in South Africa and secured my qualification to the Open at the first time of asking,” the 39-year-old said.

“I’m feeling nice and positive about it all and looking forward to teeing off.

“The wind is blowing quite a bit at the moment but hopefully that will calm down before the morning.”

Howell will be one of the last players out on the course today as he tees off on the first hole at 12.50pm alongside Frenchman Romain Wattel and Hiroshi Iwata, from Japan.