SWINDON’S David Howell finished four shots adrift of the cut at the Maybank Malyasian Open in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

His second round 73 was three shots better than his opening day effort of 76 but the Swindon pro required an under par round to stand a chance of making the cut.

Starting at four-over par, Howell began the day with a birdie at the 10th. But two successive bogeys saw him slip to one-over for the round.

A birdie at the 16th brought Howell back to level par for the day and he began his second nine by clawing another shot back at the first.

Further bogeys at three, five and six though effectively ended his bid to make the cut although he did finish on a high with a birdie at the eighth, his 17th.