THREE bogeys left David Howell at two over par after the first round of the European Tour's BMW Masters in Shanghai this morning.

The Swindon ace, returning to action for the first time since the start of the month, carded an opening-round 74 at the Lake Malaren Golf Club to lie nine shots off the pace set by Frenchman Alexander Levy.

Howell bogeyed the short fourth hole, but reclaimed the stroke at the par-five seventh.

A second bogey at the ninth saw him to the turn in 37, but Howell was steady on the way home, dropping a solitary further shot on the 11th.

Levy made the ideal start to his bid for a third victory of the season - and second in China.

Levy, who won the Volvo China Open in April and the rain-shortened Portugal Masters three weeks ago, carded a flawless opening 65 at a damp Lake Malaren to set the clubhouse target at seven under par.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who secured the winning point on his Ryder Cup debut, was a shot behind after completing an eventful 68 which featured a double-bogey seven on the third but also three birdies in his last four holes.

And Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose signed for a level-par 72 after recovering from four over par after his first four holes, the world number six having run up a triple-bogey eight on the par-five 13th.