DAVID Howell made a strong return to the European Tour today after carding a two-under opening round of 70 at the BMW International Open.

The 42-year-old ended his two-week absence from the Tour in Germany, after opting not to compete at the Shot Clock Masters in Austria a fortnight ago and also having failed to qualify for the US Open.

The lay-off seemed to spark a positive response from the Swindon star as he finished day one in a tie for sixth place, two shots off the lead.

Teeing off at the ninth, things got off to a positive start for the two-time Ryder Cup winner as he made birdies on his first and fourth holes.

A double-bogey on his fifth hole curtailed his round, and Howell’s attempt at a recovery was brief as a birdie on the sixth was cancelled out by another bogey on the eight to leave him on level par after nine holes.

Howell continued to register mixed scores into his back nine, with a bogey on the 11th dropping him over par for the first time at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof in Pulheim.

However, Howell was again able to recover and posted an impressive eagle-three on the 547-yard 12th hole to roar back under par.

Back-to-back pars on the 13th and 14th holes helped steady Howell’s hand as his round began to draw to a close.

The Swindon star’s rise continued as another birdie brought him to two with two holes still to play.

However, he had to be content with a par-par finish to return to the clubhouse on two-under and in a strong position going into today’s second round.

Elsewhere, Howell’s fellow Wiltshire player, Cumberwell Park’s Laurie Canter, was also in action, and he too had an inconsistent day to finish on one-over.

One birdie and two bogeys in Canter’s front nine was followed up with a further three bogeys and three birdies on his back nine.