DAVID Howell is feeling upbeat ahead of the KLM Open in Holland after seeing his results improve in recent weeks.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner had been struggling for form earlier in the year, but seems to have turned a corner with good finishes at the Czech Masters and last week’s Omega European Masters under his belt.

In a weekend of firsts, the 41-year-old will also be joined by his new coach Brad Malone when he takes to the course in Holland.

“When you get a new coach, it’s always a new process for both of you. He’s only seen me a few times and hasn’t seen me on the course much yet,” said Howell “I feel like I’ve simplified it a little bit more. I have to take the range bit to the course and all that it entails.

“I’m pretty upbeat. It’s a new course, it’s a lovely looking course, and the tournament itself looks like it will be a really nice one.

“I’ve had a couple of nice days of practice. I started working with my new coach probably about a month ago now.

“We seem to be slowly piecing together fairly simple things, different views on what I’m doing, all very simple but it still takes a bit of time to get your head around.

“I’ve got a new driver in the bag and a new three wood, so hopefully they’ll be nice additions to the set. All in all, I’m upbeat.”

Most recently Howell enjoyed a middle-of-the-pack finish at the Omega European Masters, as he came home joint 29th in Switzerland, after a joint third finish at the Czech Masters two weeks earlier and is now looking to being in the hunt once again.

The Broome Manor man also told the Adver he feels like his season is just getting under way after recovering from injury and he now hopes to build momentum. “My nine-hole practice (in Holland) went nicely. The new driver feels really good and my short game is good. I’m putting well and my body is feeling okay,’’ he added.

“I’m building a little bit of momentum now. The last five tournaments have been more like me pre-injury, it seems like I’m getting my season under way which is nice.

“It should be a good week. Hopefully I can play well enough to enjoy it as well. The way I’ve been hitting the ball and putting there’s no reason I can’t hope to have a chance with a round to go.

“If you ever finish in the top 20, it’s never bad. Top 10 is always a decent week but obviously you want to be in the hunt.”

Howell was teeing off at 2pm today alongside Spain’s Alvaro Quiros and Korea’s Soomin Lee.