DAVID Howell admits he was left feeling low after his performance at the Shenzhen International last week, but hopes a new driver could make all the difference at the Volvo China Open this weekend.

The 41-year-old was unhappy with his performance despite the fact he would have made his first cut of the year, had he not of called a penalty on himself.

On Sunday, the Swindon ace opted to address a penalty that occurred on the 15th hole of his second round on Friday.

After the alterations were made to his scorecard, he ended up in tied 90th, despite playing all four rounds of the competition.

“There was no evidence to say that I had or that I hadn’t (committed the foul) it was just in my mind. I think I had probably committed it, so I called a penalty on myself,” said Howell.

“Because the incident was on Friday I ended up missing the cut even though I played all four rounds.

“I was absolutely atrocious last week. It is funny how things come out, the last two days were a real low-point even though I strangely made the cut.

“My form was really poor, there were aspects of my game which were good but off of the tee, I was as bad as I have ever been.”

The two-time Ryder Cup winner has endured a frustrating start to 2017 on the European Tour, having failed to make the latter stages in any of the eight competitions he has played in.

But with the China Open this weekend and a new driver, the Broome Manor pro believes there are reasons for optimism.

“I couldn’t have it more different than I have had it for the last, God knows, how many years,” he added.

“It’s a complete revelation (the driver). Last week was the low point and by hook or by crook, I want to get out of it.

“Because of the way I played last week, I would say confidence is at an all-time low with my hitting, not my golfing ability.”

The course, which is located in Beijing, is another thing which will be new to Howell as he has never played on the course before.

“It’s a big wide open course, with big fairways and no roughs, but quite a lot of elevation changes as well," he said.

“It is very picturesque, we can see the Great Wall of China from the course so we are up in the mountains a little bit.

“The greens are in superb condition and in many ways it should suit me but to be frank, no course has suited me this year because I have been that poor.”

Howell will tee off this morning at 5.40am (BST), while Wiltshire's Jordan Smith will get underway slightly earlier at 12.10am (BST). Both players will start on the 10th.