DAVID Howell produced a superb opening nine holes to virtually ensure that he made the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 40-year-old, playing his ‘home’ course at the Emirates Golf Club, recorded a two-under-par 70 to add to his one-under round yesterday.

After a run of 16 successive pars on Thursday, the Broome Manor pro, teeing off on the 10th, hit back-to-back pars as he got his second round under way.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner, who missed the cut in Qatar last week, then picked up birdies on 12 and 13.

Howell then moved to four-under for the day as he hit the turn with birdies on 16 and 18.

As he headed for home on the front nine at five-under-par overall, the Swindon ace’s round took a turn for the worse on the third with a bogey six and he then ended the day with a second bogey on the ninth.