A FINAL-HOLE birdie booked David Howell’s place in this weekend’s final rounds of Scottish Open despite the Swindon golfer shot a one-over-par second round of 73.

Howell opened up with a two-under 70 on Thursday but had fallen back to even par for the tournament as he stood on the 18th tee yesterday at Dundonald Links.

However, the Broome Manor man was able to finish with a birdie four to get back to one-under overall - just above the cutline.

After starting the day with back-to-back pars, Howell dropped his first shot of the day at the long third when he registered bogey.

The 42-year-old composed himself, though, and strung together six further pars to reach the turn at one-over.

However, another dropped shot followed at the 10th hole and although Howell birdied the short 11th, a third bogey of the day arrived at 13.

Two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell’s hopes of qualifying were sealed with a priceless birdie at the last.

Howell, who is making only his third cut of 2017, will be joined on the course by fellow Wiltshire golfer Jordan Smith as he too finished his second round with an overall score of one-under.

Following his level par round on Thursday, Smith, from Derry Hill, began his second round like a steam train as he moved to four-under for the day after five holes following an eagle three on the fifth.

However, the 26-year-old handed two shots back with bogeys on six and eight before dropping another shot on the 11th.

Smith then birdied the 12th to move to two-under for the day, however, bogeys on 14 and 17 saw the Bowood pro go to the 18th on level par.

However, a birdie four ensured Smith’s progress.