DAVID Howell needs to pull off a near-fantastical turnaround to regain his leading man status at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a disastrous end to his opening round today.
The 40-year-old Swindon ace, who won the lucrative event back in 2013, was once again partnered by Hollywood star Hugh Grant in the pro-am championship and got off to a steady start at St Andrews, with four birdies inside his first 11 holes but the plot soon took a dramatic turn for the worse.
On the back nine, Howell double-bogeyed the par-five 14th and dropped another shot on the par-four 15th.
Still reeling, the Broome Manor pro was offered some brief respite as he parred the 16th but there was a late twist in the tale, leaving the two-time Ryder Cup winner with it all to do.
Howell contrived to double-bogey both the final two holes, which saw him finish a disappointing three-over-par and a long way down the leaderboard.
He goes looking to start his redemption story in his second round at Carnoustie tomorrow, teeing off at 10.28am.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here