Howell struggles in Qatar (From Swindon Advertiser)

Howell struggles in Qatar

8:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Local

A BOGEY littered first round has left David Howell with all to do to make the cut at the Qatar Open.

The Swindon golfer, who finished fifth at the same tournament last year, started well with a birdie on the 10th.

Howell sank par putts on the 11th and 12th but then endured a torrid run of four bogeys over his next five holes.

The 36-year-old recovered with a birdie on the 18th to reach the turn in three over.

He then made steady progress on the front nine with par putts up until the sixth, when he shot the first of three successive bogeys.

A birdie on the last meant Howell returned to the clubhouse with a four over 76, three shots off the projected cut.

Gonzalo Fdez-Castano is top of the leaderboard after carding a six under 66.