DAVID Howell’s carded a one-over-par opening round as he made his return to action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship earlier today.

The 41-year-old, who withdrew from last week’s BMW SA Open due to family reasons, was competing in his first event of 2017 after seeing his 2016 campaign hampered by injury problems but the Swindon ace was unable to make an immediate return to form as he went round in an unspectacular 73 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Starting on the 10th hole, the two-time Ryder Cup winner made par on eight of his front nine and also birdied the par-four 17th.

Howell produced four more par scores before finding trouble on the par-four fifth and sixth, where the Broome Manor pro recorded successive bogeys to ensure he finished one-over-par.

Elsewhere, Wiltshire’s Jordan Smith continued his fine start to life as a member of the European Tour with an excellent opening round.

Derry Hill's Smith, who finished third at last weekend's SA Open, in what was only his third start since earning his place on the 2017 Tour, carded a flawless four-under-par opening round of 68 in the United Arab Emirates.

The 2016 Challenge Tour winner, who is based at Bowood Golf & Country Club near Calne, started on the 10th and went to the turn in 33, with birdies at the 11th, 15th and 18th.

Smith, playing alongside 2018 Europe Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn, who also shot 68, added another birdie at the second - his 11th - and parred home to lie four shots behind the early leader, Open champion Henrik Stenson.