DAVID Howell admits that he’s hardly expecting the world as he returns to the fold at the KLM Open following a break of almost four weeks.

The Swindon ace was last in action at the US PGA Championship in mid-August and since the last major of the season concluded, with Howell failing to make the cut by some distance, he has been back in the UK, tending to matters away from the course.

The 40-year-old tees off at the Kennemer Golf & Country Club at 7.45am UK time alongside Finland’s Mikko Ilonen and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin and says that he hasn’t headed to the Netherlands with any lofty ambitions in tow.

An outright second-placed finish at the China Open in April remains Howell’s best result of his season so far, but he is happy to have had some time to at least attempt to put his feet up.

“I was in Surrey and I wasn’t playing but it wasn’t really that relaxing because I had a lot of family commitments and sponsors’ days to take care of,” said the Broome Manor pro.

“I’ve got a big three months coming up and it was important to have a break because you don’t want to get golfed out.

“I’ve had a lesson and the odd practice here or there but I’ve not really practised that much and it means that I’m a bit behind schedule to where I should be.

“That’s the way it is and that means I haven’t really got any expectations going in to this one. I could go out there and play really well.

“I’ll just have to play it by ear and it is a nice one to come back into.

“It’s a short, fiddly Links course and it’s quite difficult to get into trouble, unless you go a bit wide. The weather is also set fair so let’s see what I can do.”

Howell’s career-best result at the Dutch Open came in his first appearance at the event back in 1996.

The Swindon star finished nine-under-par and secured 11th spot overall in the standings.