SWINDON golfer David Howell got off to a good start at the Singapore Open in the early hours of this morning.

Howell carded a two-under-par first round of 69 to sit three strokes behind the current clubhouse leader, Thomas Bjorn.

The Broome Manor pro is closing in on qualification for the Race to Dubai grand final at the end of the month, and needs another good finish this weekend to slip into the top 60.

Howell shot five birdies, one bogey and one double bogey at the Sentosa Golf Club.