DAVID Howell returns to competitive action after a fortnight’s break when the Singapore Open tees off at the Sentosa Golf Club.

The Broome Manor pro will be hoping to continue the rich vein of form which has seen him claim fifth place at the Perth International, 37th at the Portugal Masters, 34th at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and 17th at the BMW Italian Open in his last four outings.

Howell currently lies 66th in the Race to Dubai, with the top 60 qualifying for the end of season showpiece in the Emirate state on November 22.

To move into the qualification places he will need another good result in Singapore, but his record in the former British colony is hardly breathtaking.

Howell has not made the cut at the event on any of the last three occasions he has entered. However, the Swindonian has failed to go beyond halfway in a competition on the European Tour just once in the last 15 tournaments in which he has taken part.

That bodes well for the former Ryder Cup star, but he is up against a tough field in Singapore.

There are several Major champions on the entry list, including Todd Hamilton, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy, as well as 2012 Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari and one of the European vice-captains at the same event - Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Howell was due to start what he hopes will be a successful four days at Sentosa at 7.20am local time alongside Alejandro Canizares and David Gleeson.