A DOUBLE BOGEY on the seventh hole cost David Howell the chance of an under-par first round at the Trophy Hassan II in Morocco today as he opened up the tournament with a one-over 73.

That was just one of two blemishes on the Swindon star’s scorecard on the first day of action at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.

In total, the 42-year-old posted 14 pars across the 18 holes, although he looked set for a tough day at the office early on.

After a bogey at the second hole, that double on seven saw Broome Manor man Howell fall back to three-over overall.

However, he made a first birdie of the day at the very next hole and eventually reached the turn at two-over.

Things were much more consistent over the back nine as a solid sequence of pars was only disrupted by another birdie at the 15th hole, and that was enough to see Howell home in one-over overall.

Two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell was amongst the earliest starters today, with fellow Englishman Oliver Fisher boasting the current clubhouse lead after a four-under 68.

Howell tees off his second round at 13.20pm BST tomorrow, getting under way at the 10th hole alongside countryman Paul Waring and South Africa’s Thomas Aiken.