DAVID Howell tees off at the Italian Open today determined to put the disappointment of a missed cut at the European Tour’s flagship event behind him.

A score of one-over after the opening two rounds at last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth left Howell narrowly short of the cutline at one-under, which would have kept him in action over the weekend.

That was the second missed cut in succession for the Swindon star, who also made an early exit at the Sicilian Open two weeks prior.

However, with the 42-year-old starting to feel better about his game after a series of injury issues over recent seasons, Howell says he will not be getting too down-heartened.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner he has now targeted a swift return to better fortunes in the second of the Tour’s premier Rolex Series tournaments in succession.

“It is a big couple of weeks, so we take the first one on the chin and move on,” said Broome Manor man Howell.

“My form is OK. It is not great and it is not bad. I have to remember where I am coming from.

“It was frustrating at Wentworth as I didn’t really hole anything. It was two poor days on the greens, nothing really dropped and I ended up on one-over.

“To miss by one or two again is very frustrating. I have done that a few times recently, including at the one before Wentworth as well.

“My form is OK, I just need something good to happen.”

Howell will be among the later starters for today’s first round at Gardagolf County Club in Brescia, teeing off at 12.40pm BST alongside Spaniard Scott Fernandez and Sweden’s Peter Hanson.