DAVID Howell sees no reason why he can’t put his troubles on the European Tour this year behind him when he takes to the greens of the BMW PGA Championship today.

The 41-year-old Swindon golfer admits that 2017 to date has ‘not been fun’ as he struggles to find any remnants of consistent form.

The only consistency that has come is his inability to make it to the weekend stage of tournaments this calendar year, having made the cut just once in his nine attempts.

As a result, Howell has tumbled down the world rankings to 407th, having started 2016 inside the top 100.

But having won at Wentworth back in 2006 and having only missed the cut by one shot last week in Italy, Howell was in confident mood as he teed off this at 9.15am in Surrey.

“I’ve not had a good run of form but I have not been terrible either,” said Howell, who has not made the cut at this tournament in his last five attempts.

“I am just waiting for that first week to come along which gives me a bit of momentum.

“I would love to be in better form coming into this, of course I would, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a great week this week and play well.

“This is not a fun job or a fun way of life when you are not playing well.

“It’s all about, minimum, making cuts and feeling like you are in contention and at least threatening to be in contention and I have not been doing that this year.”

One of the reasons behind Howell’s lack of form has been injury, the two-time Ryder Cup star suffering from a foot problem as well as discomfort in his wrist.

And while the Broome Manor pro admits that a repeat of his success in 2006 would be a tall order, he says that he is feeling in good shape heading into the week and hopes he can muster some of the magic that saw him lift the trophy 11 years ago.

“It would certainly be a great performance to win it, but of course I have got a good chance of making the cut,” he added.

“I haven’t had great form here in recent years, but it is a course I know well and I always enjoy the event and there is no better time to put a good performance in than this week.

“My game is not terrible, it is just not quite where we need it to be.

“I’m feeling good body-wise, I’m putting nicely, my short game is in good shape so plenty of things are there, I just need two or three better shots a round and that will be the difference and everything will seem slightly better.”

MATTHEW EDWARDS AND HARRY ABBOTT WILL BRING YOU COVERAGE OF HOWELL'S PROGRESS AT WENTWORTH AT SWINDONADVERTISER.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN THE SWINDON ADVERTISER