SWINDON'S David Howell endured a tough opening round at the Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa today.

Competing in his first tournament of the year, the Broome Manor pro carded four-over-par and at the time of writing was tied-34th out of the 36-strong field at Durban Country Club.

There is no cut at the tournament, which Howell qualified for by virtue of his win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in September.