DAVID Howell admits he simply wasn’t good enough after he failed to make the cut at the Scottish Open.

The 43-year-old carded a one-under second round of 69 today, leaving him one-under for the tournament, but it wasn’t enough to see him through to the final two rounds at Gullane Golf Club.

Fellow Englishman Robert Rock leads the way after a seven-under second round of 63 to reach 13-under overall and take a two-shot advantage into the weekend.

Howell's fellow Wiltshire player Jordan Smith comfortably made the cut after the Bowood pro shot a second straight three-under round of 67 to reach six-under overall.

However, Laurie Canter, who plays out of Cumberwell Park in Bradford on Avon, shot a one-over 71 to fall to two-under and miss the cut by two shots.

Swindon star Howell said: “With the quality of the field and it not being that tough a track, it’s not disastrous, but I just wasn’t good enough.

“The wind was very light, there wasn’t too much trouble out there and while the rough was long, it was pretty wispy.

“I had a couple of three-putts over the two days, which is not like me. I’m just not playing well enough to be able to cope with giving a few shots away.

“I gave away a couple of shots and, ultimately, that is the difference between missing the cut.

“That is the long and short of it. It has been a tough three weeks.

“The body has held up well, but you soon forget that when you’re reminded of the frustrations of golf.”

Howell got day two off to a less than ideal start, with a bogey five on the opening hole.

The Swindon man was able to recover well shortly after, though, as he scored back-to-back birdies on the par-five and par-three second and third holes, taking him to one-under for the day.

The rest of his front nine was a mundane affair as Howell hit level-par for the remaining six holes.

The 43-year-old returned to level-par for tournament on the 10th, when he took a bogey five.

However, the two-time Ryder Cup winner proved lightening does strike twice when he restored his tally to one-under with a birdie three a hole later.

Much like his opening nine, Howell’s progress petered out on a good day for scoring as he signed off his card with consecutive seven level-par scores, leaving him one-under overall and three shots short of the cutline.

Howell will be on commentary duties for Sky Sports during next week’s Open Championship at Carnoustie, but aims to return to action the following week at the Porsche European Open in Germany.