DAVID Howell improved by a shot in the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic today - but Swindon's two-time Ryder Cup star has still to make a cut in 2017.

The 41 year old, the 1999 champion in this tournament, carded a four-over-par 76 on day two at the Emirates GC but, together with his 77 from the opening round, it meant no weekend action for the Wiltshire man.

Howell needed birdies as he got his second 18 holes under way this morning and improved his position with a three and the par-four second hole to get things moving in the right direction.

However, a double-bogey five at the short fourth hole set him back and a further shot went at the short seventh to take him to the turn in 37.

The Swindon man was unable to improve matters on the back nine and back-to-back bogeys at the 13th and 14th sealed his fate.

The news was better for the other Wiltshire golfer in the field, Jordan Smith from Derry Hill near Calne.

Despite a one-over-par 73 on day two, the 24 year old, who plays out of the Bowood club, was handily placed just outside the top 20 after his opening 69 on Thursday.

Smith posted birdies at the sixth and seventh, sandwiched between two dropped shots at the fourth and eighth and parred all the way home, save for a dropped shot at the par five 18th hole.

Ryder Cup teammates Martin Kaymer and Rafa Cabrera Bello set the early clubhouse target before play was suspended for the day.

Several trees were blown over by the strong winds at Emirates Golf Club, prompting tournament officials to halt play at 2:25pm local time (1025 GMT).

Kaymer and Cabrera Bello had earlier defied the conditions to card second rounds of 69 and reach four under par, with South Africa's George Coetzee leading on nine under after eight holes when the sirens sounded.

A back spasm forced Tiger Woods to withdraw from the event after a demoralising opening 77, the 14-time major winner failing to card a single birdie.