DAVID Howell is looking for a place in the top eight at this week’s Bridgestone Invitational to secure a place at the US PGA Championships.

The Broome Manor star tees off this afternoon (2.40pm BST) alongside American Brian Harman after a week away from the sport following a impressive showing at the Open.

And the 39-year-old says that if he can put in another strong showing at the Firestone Country Club in Ohio he could be heading for Kentucky next week.

“What I want to do is put together is a good solid week of golf,” Howell told the Advertiser. “As well as doing that I have a secondary target.

“If I managed to finish in the top eight I think that will get me in the PGA next week and I think that is very achievable.

“I have finished fifth here a few years ago so if I can have a good strong week then hopefully it will be enough to get into next week’s event.”

Howell arrived stateside on Sunday morning with the idea of making the most of the extra’s day preparation, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

“We came out a day early but because the weather was so bad this side we were late landing,” Howell said. “And because of that we missed our connecting flight.

“Then we had a seven-hour drive here from the airport, which was far from ideal.

“But there were pro-ams this week so we have been able to relax a bit.”

Howell’s last outing at the Bridgestone Invitational was in 2008 when a disappointing final round left him 12-over-par for the competition.

However, the Swindon star has been enjoying an upturn in form over the past month and he is keen to build on that in the second half of the season.

“The changes that I made are feeling a lot more natural, I’m swinging the club a lot better and I’m putting together some solid golf,” he said.

“If we can get another good week under our belts then we move into the second half of the season in good shape.

“I felt that I played quite well at the Open and the aim is push on from that, book a place in the PGAs and stay out here for another week.

“If that doesn’t happen then, like last week when I didn’t touch a golf club, I’ll have the week off and then head out to the Danish Open.”