DAVID Howell will decide this morning whether he is fit enough to defend his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title.

The Swindon star woke up yesterday morning with a stiff neck and he was fearing that he would be unable to take to the St Andrews’ course today.

And after winning the title last season in a dramatic sudden death play-off with American Peter Uihlein, Howell could be unable to defend his crown.

“As it stands, I don’t think I’ll be playing tomorrow,” Howell told the Advertiser last night.

“My neck is really bad and I’d be flabbergasted if I was able to play.

“It is incredibly frustrating. I had last week off, then I played nine holes on Monday and Tuesday and then I woke up this morning and I could barely move.”

The Broome Manor pro had been starting to find some form over recentmonths as he looks to book his place in the Race to Dubai tournaments.

And while he is expected to miss out in Scotland this week, the 39-year-old is hopeful of being able to take to the fairways for next week’s Portugal Masters.

“It would have been nice to have been able to tee off as the reigning champion - it has been a long time since I’ve been able to defend a title,” Howell said.

“But barring a miraculous recovery, I’m going to have to rest up and try and get ready for next week.

“All I’m doing at the moment is taking it day by day.”

Newly crowned PGA player of the year Rory McIllroy returns to the course where the road to glory all began.

The Northern Irishman said: “Back in 2007, this was the tournament that I got my European Tour card and it was a life changing week for me, a young 18 year old, just starting out in his professional career.

“I finished third that week, and that basically earned me enough money to get my European Tour card for the next season.”

Meanwhile fellow Swindon golfer Martin Sell is aiming to work his way onto the European Tour as he takes part in the First Qualifying Stage Section D at Frilford Heath.

The Wrag Barn pro made a good start to his week scoring four-under-par in his opening round and then he went around with a two-under-par 70 yesterday.