SWINDON’S David Howell has kicked off his 2016 campaign with a solid round of 71 at the BMW SA Open to remain in the hunt after day one.

The 40-year-old had a poor start to his round at Glendower Golf Club, starting on the 10th with a bogey five after finding a hazard, prompting him to remove his shirt to play a shot out of it.

But Howell was soon back in his stride.

 

 

The Broome Manor pro was back at level par the very next hole as he birdied the par-four 11th picking up further shots on the 12th and 13th to put him in contention at two under par.

A birdie on the par-five 15th saw Howell go out reach the turn three under par and in a strong position going into the front nine holes of the course.

However, things took a dip at the turn and the two-time Ryder Cup winner dropped a shot on the first with a bogey-five.

Howell steadied himself with a par on the second but it was further frustration when he followed that up with back-to-back bogeys on holes three and four to move him back to level par.

A birdie on the par-three sixth got Howell back in the red and left him tied 19th at the end of his round, six shots off clubhouse leader Jaco Van Zyl with half of the field yet to tee off.