DAVID Howell will be happy with his final weekend of the season after two under par rounds lifted him back into the top 50 at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Swindon golfer finished in tied 42nd after a final round of 68 at the Jumeirah Golf Estates course, which saw him slip one position in the final order of merit standings to bring the year to an end in 26th place.

The Broome Manor pro looked in fine form on the opening nine of the last day as he picked up back-to-back birdies on the par three fourth and par-four fifth.

That was followed up when the 40-year-old picked up another shot on the par-five seventh to see him make the turn three under par for the day and two under par for the tournament.

Howell’s fine form continued after the turn as he recorded a birdie-three on the par-four 10th before he dropped his first shot of the day with a bogey at 11.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner recovered though and moved back to four under for the day with a birdie at 15.

Howell finished his round with three pars to leave him tied 42nd on three under par, with winner Rory McIlroy finishing on 21 under par to clinch the coveted trophy and also claim the order of merit crown.