DAVID Howell extended his fine recent run of successfully made cuts to three in a row with a second-round 70 at the Saint Omer Open in France yesterday.

The Broome Manor pro had gone into his second set of 18 holes at the hilly course across the channel sitting on an overnight score of 73, which left him two-over-par amongst a field which has been decimated by participation in the US Open.

Starting from the 10th tee, Howell endured a frustratingingly inconsistent first nine holes.

The former Ryder Cup star parred 10 and 11 before a bogey on the 12th sent him dangerously close to the cut line.

A birdie at the 527-yard par-five 14th got Howell back on track momentarily but, just as he did on Thursday, the Swindon ace dropped a further shot on the par-four 16th.

After the turn, however, Howell steadily found his feet.

Five consecutive pars at the start of the front nine laid the foundations for a late rally before Howell snatched a shot back with a tidy birdie on the par-four sixth.

And another birdie on the penultimate hole left him one-over-par overall.