A ROUND of 68 has left Swindon’s David Howell in strong contention at the top of the leaderboard after day two of the D+D REAL Czech Masters.

Howell, who has yet to record a top-10 finish on the European Tour this season, entered the clubhouse in a tie for the lead at six-under when he finished his second round at around 1pm BST after shooting four-under, courtesy of two birdies in the closing three holes.

However, Howell has since been overhauled at the top but is handily placed heading into the weekend as he is one of six players in a tie for third place, four shots off the lead set by Denmark's Jeff Winther and Belgian Thomas Pieters.

The 41-year-old started the second day in Prague four shots adrift of overnight leader Ryan Evans, who shot an impressive six-under-par round on day one, after his blemish-free opening round.

Howell got off to the ideal start, teeing off at the 10th, as he followed up a birdie four on the opening hole with further birdies on 11 and 12.

After a blistering start, the Broome Manor pro proceeded to par the remaining six holes on the back nine of the course to go out in 33.

However, the turn proved difficult for Howell as he dropped his first shot of the tournament with a bogey on the par-five first.

Howell was able to steady the ship and recorded five consecutive pars before a good tee shot on the par-three seventh gave him another birdie.

With Howell looking like he would be one shot off the lead at the end of his round, with Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick already in the clubhouse on six-under, the two-time Ryder Cup winner pulled out another birdie on the last to draw level with the early pace setters.

That left him in a five-way tie for the lead as Howell finished his round, although Winther and Pieters, who were amongst the later starters, have since been able to pull clear of the pack.