Howell struggles in France (From Swindon Advertiser)

Howell struggles in France

6:30am Friday 15th June 2012 in Golf

TWO bogeys in his final two holes saw David Howell slip to a two over par opening round at the Saint-Omer Open in France.

The Broome Manor professional is playing the small event in a bid to gain confidence while the major players on the European Tour are taking part of the US Open in San Francisco, but didn’t make the start he wanted in a competition he thought he had a chance of winning.

Howell didn’t start well as he bogeyed the second hole, but quickly pulled the shot back as he birdied the par four third.

Four more pars saw him turn level, and made the best possible start to the back nine as he birdied the tenth hole.

But his joy did not last long as two bogeys on 11 and 12 set him back before he settled himself down with two pars.

A birdie on 15 threatened to brighten his day, but two bogies on 16 and 18 saw him slip back to tie for 45th place.

Adam Gee, Simon Wakefield and Korea’s Sihwan share the lead on four under, and 31-year-old Gee is pleased with how he played. “It’s a good start,” he said.

“I had some good fortune today – I hit the flag on the 17th and it went in, and on the 18th I hit a good shot from a bad lie and it ran up nicely to the hole.

“It’s a quirky golf course and you get good breaks and bad breaks.

“Sometimes good shots go badly and bad shots turn out well.

“I managed to get the most out of the good stuff today.”

Howell will tee off his second round at 12.45pm alongside Daniel Denison and Michael Lorenzo-Vera.