SWINDON’S David Howell is hoping to put a back injury behind him as he tees off at the Turkish Airlines Open.

The 40-year-old has had the last two weeks away from the course after suffering a recurrence of his back problem during the British Masters at Woburn Golf Club.

Howell, who sits just inside the world top 100, has his physio on hand in Antalya but hopes it will just be a precaution.

“My big concern has been my back. I had a back problem in Woburn and that has scuppered my practice in the last two weeks," he said.

“I was really in a lot of pain in my last two rounds. It was as bad as I have been for many a year on the golf course.

“The back is an awful lot better. It is not perfect, but certainly no problems to play and hopefully play well.

“I am feeling a little bit under-golfed in the two weeks off but it has been a long season, so you don’t forget to golf in two weeks.

"I hit it pretty nicely (yesterday) in the Pro-Am and didn’t waste too many putts going in, so hopefully they will drop tomorrow.

“It’s a nice course, that doesn’t really favour the long hitters particularly, and it is a course that should offer up a lot of birdies, especially as there is not a lot of rough given the recent weather."

Howell, who is 23rd in the order of merit, tees off at 7.15am (GMT) alongside Gary Stal and Tyrell Hatton and is hoping to get a good start to put him in contention come the weekend.

“It’s a case of getting out there and hopefully putting a nice score on the board tomorrow.

“I haven’t made too many fast starts this year, so it would be a nice change to post a decent score.

“I can’t put my finger on why that has been this year, but getting in the thick of the tournament right from the word go is always an enjoyable thing, but it doesn’t guarantee you a good finish.

“In the next four weeks, I am sure I will get off to a good start somewhere and there is a lot to play four.

“A big finish in any of the four will help transform the order of merit positions come the final day in Dubai.

“If it doesn’t happen this week ,then we will hold out hope that it will happen in one of the next three weeks.”