TWO birdies in the final three holes ensured David Howell safely made the cut at the D+D Czech Masters today after a one-under second round of 71.

Swindon star Howell began the tournament with a fine three-under 69 first round on Thursday, but had dropped to two-under overall seven holes into his Friday round – a score that would have meant he headed home from the tournament early.

The Broome Manor man was unable to improve the situation over his next eight holes before finally producing some good scoring when it mattered most.

Howell birdied his 16th hole and then followed it up with another at his last to return to the clubhouse on four-under.

That saw him make the cut by a single stroke and claim a share of 54th place heading into the weekend following a good day for scoring in Prague.

Malaysia's Gavin Green leads the way at the halfway stage at Albatross Golf Restort on 12-under, having shot a four-under second round of 68 to go alongside his opening eight-under 64.

Howell was amongst the earliest starters yesterday, and after beginning his second round at the par-five 10th hole, the 43-year-old immediately made a move up the leaderboard with an opening birdie four.

Although that was offset by a bogey at his fourth hole, Howell swiftly claimed that back with another birdie at the very next hole.

A double-bogey five at the short 16th – Howell’s seventh – then threatened to derail both his round and his ambitions for the tournament as he dropped back below the cutline.

A run of eight pars failed to improve things before the two-time Ryder Cup winner was able to find some much-needed momentum with a birdie two at the seventh – his 16th.

A par four followed before Howell rounded off his day with another birdie on his par-five final hole to reach four-under overall and safely make the cut.

Howell's fellow Wiltshire player Jordan Smith will also contest the final two rounds and is currently in a tie for 36th place on five-under.

Bowood pro Smith recorded five birdies and two bogeys on his way to a three-under second round of 69.

However, the third Wiltshire player in action in Prague, Laurie Canter, made a premature exit after a disappointing second day.

Three bogeys and a double, coupled with just a solitary birdie, saw Cumberwell Park man Canter post a four-over 76 to drop from three-under to one-over and into a tie for 122nd place.

Howell tees of his third round at 8.49am tomorrow, playing alongside Australian Adam Bland.