DAVID Howell had a birthday to forget at the opening round of the BMW International Open.

The Broome Manor pro, who turned 41 today, limped home with a two-over-par 74 in Pulheim, Germany.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner got his day off to a perfect start with a birdie three on the opening hole.

However, his round soon started to unravel. Howell recorded a bogey five on hole two before a horrendous triple-bogey seven on five left him well down the leaderboard.

The Swindon ace followed that up with a bogey five to leave him four-over after only six holes.

Howell then picked up a shot on seven only to hand it back on the following hole as he finished the front nine four-over following a par four.

But then, as the birthday boy turned for home, a revival started.

After pars on 10 and 11, Howell shot three consecutive birdies on 12, 13 and 14 move him one-over for the day.

He found himself back at an unlikely level par with his fourth birdie on the back nine at the 15th as he looked to keep himself in contention to make the weekend cut.

But the comeback was ended with back-to-back bogies on the final two holes and he finished the day two-over.

Howell will be hoping for better fortunes tomorrow as he is due to tee off his second round at the Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof at 7.50am.