DAVID Howell enjoyed a fine opening round at The Open in St Andrews today.

The Swindon ace carded a four-under-par round of 68 at the Home of Golf.

The Broome Manor pro got off to the perfect start in his bid to break his duck in the majors as he birdied the opening hole.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner then picked up shots on six, seven and eight as shots on the front nine were there to be taken.

Howell then picked up another shot on 10 as he worked his way into the top six.

However, the 40-year-old dropped a shot on 13 as he shot a bogey five.

That was quickly cancelled out on 14 before another bogey five on 16 saw him come home with a level par 36 for a four-under overall score.