DAVID Howell has set his sights on a second round in the 60s today if the Swindon golfer is to make the cut at the BMW PGA Championship.

Howell, a champion at the tournament back in 2006, opened up his campaign at the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth with a one-over round of 73 on Thursday, leaving him in a tie for 76th place.

The Broome Manor man will be amongst the earliest starters this morning, heading out for his second round at 8.55am alongside fellow Englishman Charlie Ford and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.

Howell says nothing less than a sub-70 round will do if he is to remain in action over the weekend’s final two rounds.

“I need to go out and shoot a score in the 60s. Hopefully that will see me safely make it through,” said two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell.

“I am around the cut mark right now, so I have got to play well on Friday.

“I seem to be on the cutline all the time at the moment, but I have been playing quite nicely on Fridays, so hopefully I can do it again.

“I need to cut out the silly mistakes – like the three-putt I had on number three.

“I basically played average golf for this field, but we are not here to be average, we’re here to be a bit better than that.

“It’s a tough course and if you get out of position, then it starts to bite. You have got to hit some good shots.

“Friday is going to be an important day.”

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard is the early leader after shooting a bogey-free seven-under round of 65.