DAVID Howell returned to the British Masters with a level par opening round at Woburn today.
Howell, beaten in a play-off by Denmark's Thomas Bjorn for the tournament 10 years ago, carded two birdies in a first-round 71 as Scotland's Marc Warren set the early pace.
A largely uneventful opening nine holes saw the two-time Ryder Cup star drop a shot at the par four fourth hole as he went to the turn in 36.
But the Broome Manor man made a perfect start to his back nine, posting birdies at the 10th and long 11th, although he gave one of them back at the very next hole before parring home.
Warren carded a flawless 65 to set the early clubhouse target.
He fired six birdies and no bogeys to finish six under par and was later joined by Howell's playing partner, Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen and England's Lee Slattery.
Three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington and former world number one Luke Donald were within striking distance on five under and four under par respectively.
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