DAVID Howell was left to rue a poor putting performance on day one of the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

The Swindon star finished his opening round at the Firestone Country Club one-under-par, but he will know that it could have been so much better.

The Broome Manor pro hit more than 92 per cent of his fairways from the tee and made greens in regulation for nearly three-quarters of the holes.

However, on several occasions the 39-year-old required more than two putts to find the cup.

Needing to finish in the top eight this week to qualify for the USPGA, the final major of the year, Howell birdied holes 17, 18, two and three, after starting from the 10th.

But a three putt on the 13th saw him bogey that hole, while a rare poor tee shot on the sixth left Howell in trouble.

His recovery shot landed in the rough and the former Ryder Cup winner did well to walk away with a bogey five.

Howell will look to improve on today’s round tomorrow when he tees off at 1.30pm (local time/6.30pm BST).