SWINDON'S David Howell failed to claim his first win on the European Tour since 2006 after carding a two over 76 in the final round of the Irish Open today.

The 36-year-old shot a superb seven-under-par 64 yesterday and started today 11 under alongside Richard Green and Simon Dyson.

But he was unable to build on that as mixed three birdies against five bogeys to finish in a share of eighth place, six shots behind winner Simon Dyson.

1st hole, par four: Not the best of starts for Howell as he immediately drops to 10 under following a bogey on the first.

Howell sends his tee shot into a sandy patch near the water hazard and he takes the dropped shot. His approach shot leaves him with a long putt for par and in the end he two putts for bogey.

2nd hole, par four: Howell saves par on the second, but is two shots off the lead after playing partner Richard Green converted a short putt following a superb approach shot.

3rd hole, par three: Howell's tee shot leaves him some 25 feet from the pin and his attempt for birdie rolls just short. He then sinks a routine putt for par to keep him on 10 under.

4th hole, par four: Howell attempts a birdie putt on the fourth but the ball is too slow and rolls wide, putts for par. Green drops back to 11 under after carding a bogey on the same hole.

5th hole, par four Still steady progress from Howell as he putts for par on the fifth. Remains on 10 under, just one shot off the lead but needs to start picking up some birdies soon.

6th hole, par three: Still no birdies for Howell but he is certainly making steady progress and he attemps to pick up a gain on the sixth with birdie putt from 10 yards. It is a great effort but rolls inches wide and he putts for par. Get the feeling a birdie or two is around the corner though.

7th hole, par five: And here it is, Howell picks up his first birdie of the day.

He putts uphill and it just rolls in, moving him onto 11 under and one shot off the lead.

8th hole, par four: Straightaway, though, Howell drops back to 10 under with a bogey after driving into the trees off the tee and then two putting.

Richard Green is the leader 13 under.

9th hole, par four: Howell moves back onto 11 under after holing a simple birdie putt following a superb approach shot. Two off the pace at the turn.

10th hole, par three: And he closes the gap to just one shot with another birdie on the 10th, putting superbly from a difficult position.

11th hole, par four: Howell's tee shot is over in the crowd. He recovers well to chip over an advertising hoarding but eventually puts for bogey to slip back onto 11 under, level par for the day and three behind the leaders.

12th hole, par four: Howell goes for birdie on the 12th but the ball stops agonisingly short. He putts for par and still three behind Green.

13th hole, par four: Howell fails to find the fairway off the tee and then plays his approach shot to the far edge of the green. He eventually putts for bogey and drops to 10 under.

14th hole, par four: Howell's challenge for the title is fading after he picks up his third bogey in four holes.

15th hole, par four: A welcome par putt for Howell after two successive bogeys. Remains on nine under and five shots behind Green.

16th hole, par five: Howell chips onto the green with third but it rolls back to the rough. Succeeds at the second attempt before then putting for par.

17th hole, par four: Howell goes for only his second birdie of the back nine, attempting to putt from six yards but the ball bobbles over the hole and it another par.

18th hole, par four: Howell finishes with another par to sign for a 73 and claim a share of eighth place. Disappointing, but still signs of promise as Howell looks to work his way back up the world rankings.