THREE birdies on the concluding five holes at the Estrella Damm N.A Andalucia Masters in Spain yesterday placed David Howell in a strong position entering day two.

Howell, who made his second cut of the season in Germany last week, is well on the way to making a second successive cut following his opening day performance – which started slowly before improving as time passed.

Six back-to-back pars for the 43-year-old were followed by a momentum-killing bogey on the par four seventh – placing him one under. A birdie on the par four ninth rescued his front nine though.

But bogeys on holes 12 and 13 threatened to derail Howell’s Spanish quest before his encouraging end to the day placed him one-under overall and T33 - five shots behind leader Victor Perez.

Howell’s second day of play in Spain starts at 1.30pm (local time) in the company of Nick Cullen and Richie Ramsey.