DAVID Howell hit nine birdies on his final round to banish the memory of Saturday’s horror show at the Omega European Masters.

The Swindon ace saved his best for last, with a round of seven-under-par, after a mixed opening three days in Switzerland.

Having squeezed through on Friday, with a two-under-par 68 to make the cut, the 40-year-old hit a three-over 73 yesterday to leave him near the bottom of the weekend pack.

However, the Broome Manor pro went out this morning in a five-under 30 to go charging up the leaderboard to as he marched to an overall score of four-under.

But the two-time Ryder Cup winner recorded back-to-back bogeys on 10 and 11 to see him slip back down.

Howell then went on the charge again with birdies on 13, 14 and 15 before a birdie three on 17 saw him move to seven-under for the round.

A par on the 18th meant that the Swindon star ended the day with a seven-under 63 for an overall six-under.