David Howell will be rueing a triple bogey on the sixth hole after putting together a solid round at the Volvo China Open in Beijing.

Having officially failed to make the cut in any of the European Tour events in 2017, the two-time Ryder Cup winner, also starting on the 10th, enjoyed a good first nine holes.

Picking up a shot on the 11th, the 41-year-old, bogeyed the 14th before moving to two-under for the round with birdies on 15 and 17.

The Broome Manor pro then picked up two more shots on three and five before a nightmare sixth hole saw him tumble down the leaderboard.

Howell managed to steady the ship for the final three holes with pars to return with one-under 71, but there will be a sense of disappointment for Swindon ace.

Fellow Wiltshire player Jordan Smith’s fine rookie year on the European Tour continued this morning as he carded another under par round.

The Derry Hill star recorded a three-under-par 69 to give him a good chance of making the cut in Beijing.

Starting on the 10th hole, the 24-year-old claimed a birdie three to get his round off to a perfect start.

The Bowood pro, however, dropped a shot at the 14th as he went out in 36.

But as he headed for home, Smith, who won the European Challenge Order of Merit last year, after hitting a bogey six at the fourth, strung together four birdies in five holes to return to the clubhouse three-under for the day.

Howell will get his second round underway in the small hours of tomorrow morning as he tees off at 12.40am (BST), while Smith gets his day started at 5.10am (BST).