DAVID Howell will have to rip up the form book if he is to claim a first top-10 finish on the European Tour this year as he starts his Maybank Championship Malaysia quest tomorrow.

Swindon ace Howell has a best finish of tied 13th in 2016, that coming at the Joburg Open in mid-January, and will be fresh for the tournament in Kuala Lumpur after a week off.

However, he has no great recent pedigree at the Royal Selangor Golf Club, with the Broome Manor pro having missed the cut in each of the last two years.

Two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell is due to tee off his round at 5.30am GMT on Thursday morning, playing alongside Thailand’s Natipong Srithong and Miguel Tabuena, of the Philippines.

The 40-year-old will be looking to improve on his efforts at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic a fortnight ago, where he posted three solid rounds before falling away on the final day to finish in a tie for 63rd.