IT WAS a tale of two nines for David Howell as the Broome Manor pro made a steady start to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Teeing off at the 10th at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, a short jaunt down the road from his winter home in Dubai, Howell made gains at the 10th and 16th.

But he followed that up with bogeys at the fourth, sixth and ninth and carded a one-over-par 73.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner was tied-65th at the time of writing.

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Swindon Advertiser.