SWINDON’S David Howell experienced a day of mixed fortunes as he opened up his Omega European Masters challenge with a par round.

Starting on the 10th tee, Howell got off to the perfect start as he recorded a birdie on the par-four hole.

However that was soon wiped out when he dropped a shot on the par-five 12th.

Howell was back under par with a birdie on the 14th before he followed that up with a bogey-six on the 15th, to go out with a level par 35.

The Broome Manor pro went over par for the first time in the round when he dropped a shot on the par-four fifth, before recovering two holes later with a birdie on seven to leave him level par going into the second day of the competition at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Howell sits five shots off clubhouse leader and fellow Englishman Danny Willett, who carded an eagle and five birdies on his way to a superb 65.