DAVID Howell will be hoping to build on his tied-26th place finish at the BMW International Open in Germany last week when he takes to the course at the Open de France today.

The 43-year-old surprised himself last weekend after suffering a shoulder injury, which could have seen him undergo surgery and face a lengthy break on the sidelines had it deteriorated.

However, the complaint caused Swindon star Howell no real trouble as he eventually finished on two-under par.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner will be aiming to repeat the feat this week as he takes on the Le Golf National course in Paris.

Howell will want to avoid the performance he put in 12 months ago as he finished in a tie for 95th amongst the 150-strong field.

Howell will tee off his first round at 11.40am BST alongside Scotland’s Marc Warren and Spaniard Gonzalo Henandez-Costano.

Fellow Wiltshire players Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter are also in action this week.

Smith was not involved last week, and while Canter was, he failed to make the cut.

Derry Hill’s Smith, who won the European Open just under a year ago, has an early start as he gets his opening round under way at 8.30am BST along with fellow Brits Jamie Donaldson and Chris Hanson.

Canter gets started at 12.30pm BST with China’s Ashun Wu and Italian Lorenzo Gagli.