DAVID Howell enjoyed a solid if unspectacular start to the Qatar Masters this morning with a one-under-par opening round.

Swindon golfer Howell recorded three birdies and two bogeys en route to a first-round 71 and is currently in a tie for 65th on the leaderboard at Doha Golf Club.

The 41-year-old headed into the tournament looking for a return to form on the European Tour after missing the cut at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championships.

That looked to be on the cards when, after teeing off on the 10th, Howell posted three birdies in his first four holes.

Although the red numbers soon dried up for the Broome Manor man, he was still able to reach the turn strongly placed at three-under.

Howell made it seven straight pars over the opening two holes of his second nine but then suffered his first drop shot with a bogey at the short third – his 12th.

Two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell steadied the ship with pars on each of the next three holes but a further dropped shot at the seventh – his 16th – meant Howell had to settle for one-under round as he headed back to the clubhouse.

Welshman Bradley Dredge leads the way heading into round two after opening his tournament with an eight-under round of 64.

Howell will get his second round under way at 8.20am GMT tomorrow, teeing off at the first hole.