DAVID Howell has endured another tough day on the European Tour after going over par in his opening round at the Irish Open.

The Swindon star, who has struggled with injuries and form in 2017, initially looked to on course for one of his better days on this season’s tour.

However, a double-bogey and two bogeys in four holes left Howell’s round in Londonderry in tatters as he eventually finished the day with a two-over-par 74.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner, who was in first group out at the Portstewart Golf Club, began the day with a bogey five at first.

However, the 42-year-old moved to one-under after seven with birdies one the fifth and seventh.

Yet, the Broome Manor pro went into the turn one-over after a double bogey six at the ninth.

Howell then slipped to tied 76th out of the 78 golfers on the course at the time when he recorded back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12.

But Howell then recovered slightly with birdies on 13 and 14 only to drop another shot on the 17th to leave him two-over for the day.