SWINDON golfer David Howell is hoping to use this week’s Joburg Open as a confidence-builder before he heads to the Middle East.

The Broome Manor pro endured a mixed bag on his first outing of the season last weekend as he secured a one-under-par score to finish 38th at the BMW SA Open.

Howell described the weekend as a ‘professional result’ but knows there are plenty of creases that he needs to work out.

“It was one of those weeks where I didn’t play particularly well but first week out; as much as you would love to play well and have the chance to win, making the cut is always the first port of call,” he said.

“I did that and then finally got a round in the 60s on Sunday, so it wasn’t all bad.

“A top-40 finish is nothing to shout about in an unchallenging field, but not the worst way to start the year either.”

Howell remains in South Africa as he travels the short distance to Johannesburg, the scene of a tied-second finish last year, which secured him a place at The Open.

Having already claimed his Open place this year by finishing inside the top 30 in the European Tour order of merit last season, the pressure is off for Howell as he aims to find some early-season form.

“My season didn’t start well last year,” added the 40-year-old. “I didn’t play well in the Middle East and I took five or six weeks to get going, but it did all start at this tournament.

“It is nice to come back to a course with those sort of memories and hopefully, the same thing will happen this year.”

Howell tees off on the West Course at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Course this morning at 9.05am (GMT).

“I haven’t got any expectations,” he said. “Really, I have come down here to try and get a nice result under my belt but also to try and get into my season before I get to the Middle East.

“That is how it is feeling in practice this week. I won’t lie - it hasn’t been superb and I don’t feel like I am in perfect control of the ball.

“You will have to put some birdies on the board to perform well this week.”