Howell set for Joburg challenge (From Swindon Advertiser)

Howell set for Joburg challenge

6:00am Thursday 12th January 2012 in Golf By Gary Rose

DAVID Howell is back in action this week as the Swindon golfer tees off in the first round of the Joburg Open today.

After a short break over the festive period, Howell returns to the course refreshed and reinvigorated, and looking to climb the world rankings in 2012.

The 36-year-old has made one notable change for the new year, with Steve Brotherhood now on the bag.

Brotherhood, who was most recently caddy to European Tour professional Paul Broadhurst, replaces Gordon Faulkner.

Howell failed to make the cut at the Joburg Open last year, shooting successive rounds of 73, and he will be hoping for better this year. Charl Schwartzel won the 2011 title.

Howell tees off alongside Englishman Barry Lane and South African Doug McGuigan at 10am local time.