DAVID Howell’s miserable run in 2017 continued after he failed to make the cut at the Joburg Open.

The Swindon ace, who could have secured qualification to the 146th Open at Royal Birkdale in July with a top three finish in South Africa, was again heading home early.

Having failed to make it into the weekend’s rounds this year, Howell, who shot a one-over par 73 on Thursday on the East course, was left with a mountain to climb on Friday with the cut mark set above three-under-par.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner shot an even 36 on the front nine of the West course of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club with birdies on two and nine cancelled out by bogeys on six and seven.

Despite a birdie on the 10th, that was as good as it got on the back nine for Howell as he bogeyed the 15th and 16th as he finished one-over for the day.