SWINDON’S David Howell had a storming end to the BMW International Open, in Germany, leaving him with his first top ten finish in four appearances on the European Tour.

The Broome Manor pro had looked to be out of contention after a level-par round on day three left him well off the pace, 11 shots behind overnight leader James Morrison on five-under-par.

However, Howell took his final round by the scruff of its neck this morning to claim a seven-under-par score of 65, climbing up the leaderboard into the top five with an overall score of 12-under-par.

“I was delighted with the way today went,” said Howell after today's round.

“It was a disappointing day (on Saturday), to finish with that double (bogey) to finish level.

“I didn’t play badly yesterday. I didn’t do much wrong but it was a big step backwards and I bounced-back.

“I set my stall out to shoot four rounds in the 60s, thinking that was what I needed to do to win, or to do very well, and that total was 12 under.

“I managed to fight my way back to that sort of level anyway.

“It's a top 15 finish, which is pleasing after three missed cuts.

“I’ve got a good record this year of having two weeks off and playing well, so the break has not done me any harm.

“Like many players, I was frustrated not to be at the US Open when it came on the telly but it is a big run of golf coming up and this is a nice solid way to start that and it was a real nice bonus.”

After pars on the opening two holes to put his double bogey on the last hole the day before behind him, Howell began his charge with a birdie on the third.

That was followed by back-to-back birdies on holes five and six, to see the Swindon golfer go out with a three-under-par 33.

Howell continued to find his rhythm on the back nine as he birdied the par-three 12th before doing the same on the par-four 13th.

Back-to-back birdies for the third time in his round on holes 15 and 16 capped off a bogey-free round and saw Howell finish tied ninth, just five shots off tournament winner Pablo Larrazabal.

The Swindon ace’s next assignment will be the Open De France on July 2-5.