DAVID Howell spluttered, choked and occasionally revved into life at the Volvo Golf Champions event in Bahrain yesterday.
His first round at The Royal Golf Club was littered with all manner of scores that left the Swindon pro at level-par, in a tie for 67th in the 98-strong field.
After birdying the third and bogeying the fourth, Howell carded an expensive double bogey at the par-three seventh but clawed back to level-par with birdies at the next two holes.
He dropped a shot at another two par-threes on the back nine, the 12th and 16th, but birdied the 14th and 18th to ensure he finished the day level.
Heading the field after the first day’s play is Swede Johan Edfors on eight-under-par, two shots clear of the quartet of Pablo Larrazabal, Peter Hanson, Francesco Molinari and Graeme Storm.
Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez are among the names in the immediate chasing pack.
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