DAVID Howell will hunt a place at the US Open in an effort further to reinvigorate his game after the Swindon golfer confirmed his intentions to play in the UK qualifying event in a week’s time.
Howell will compete at Walton Heath Golf Club next Monday as he looks to secure a spot in the field for the second Major of the year in mid-June.
Two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell has been hampered by a succession of injury issues in recent years, with his world ranking having dropped down to outside the top 900.
The 42-year-old missed the cut for the second European Tour event in succession last week after a disappointing showing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Howell is remaining upbeat, though, and will head to Walton Heath seeking the shot in the arm his form needs.
“I am entered, so my plan is to play,” said Broome Manor player Howell.
“You never know what can happen and that is another opportunity to maybe make something good happen.”
Howell is a former champion at the BMW PGA Championship, having won the event in 2006, but did not feature amongst the leading contenders last week.
A one-over first round of 73 was followed by a level-par 72 in the second, which saw Howell miss the cut by two strokes.
Italian Francesco Molinari emerged as the eventual champion at the European Tour’s flagship event on 17-under par, two strokes clear of Northern Ireland’s four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy.
Howell conceded he did not do give himself enough chances to put a good score together at Wentworth.
“The greens are very different to what they were years ago. They are great quality, but they are fast and sloping, so it is not easy,” said Howell.
“You have got to get the ball in the right positions to be able to attack the putt.
“I didn’t seem to do that – my ball control wasn’t quite good enough to find the right spots on the greens.
“It is a fantastic course, so I look forward to coming back next year and giving it another go.”
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