DAVID Howell has a simple formula for success at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships.

The Swindon ace tees off at St Andrews this morning with Four Weddings and a Funeral star Hugh Grant in bid to regain the title he won in 2013.

And while the formula to success, staying out of the bunkers and taking your putts, sounds simple, Howell knows too well it is not always as easy as that.

“I have played well here over the years, I won here two years ago and this tournament suits my style of play and strengths,” the 40-year-old told the Swindon Advertiser.

“You get a lot of putts. The greens are big here, (it’s) not too demanding off the tee, the rough is not too bad, you play out the bunkers more than the rough.

“You should do a good number of birdie putts this week that is why always done well, my mid-to-long range putting is good as anybody and hopefully we can make that pay this week.

“You just have to stay out the bunkers and putt well.”

Howell arrived at the home of golf on the back of missing the cut at the European Open in Germany last week, but the two-time Ryder Cup winner believes he showed improvements from the previous fortnight.

“Last week I felt that I was hitting the ball better than the two previous weeks,” the Broome Manor pro said.

“I felt like the little nuances of change that I made last week were good even though the results were bad.

“So hopefully we can go out and make a bunch of birdies this week.”

Howell has played alongside Grant at this tournament for a number of years and he relishing catching up for the actor when they head to the first tee on the St Andrews at 11.23am.

“It is good fun playing with Hugh,” he said. “We have struck up a good friendship on the back of playing in this tournament.

“He was at a (film) premiere last night, hence our late tee time. He has been up here and done a couple of days before flying back. It is always good fun.

“The organisers know Hugh is very comfortable playing in my company, if I keep him happy then they are happy I guess.”