DAVID Howell will be hoping a rest will have done the trick as he prepares to tee-off his 2018 European Tour season at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 42-year-old endured a dismal time on the tour last term, and will be looking to do better this time around.

At the same event last year, the former Ryder Cup winner had great success as he hit a course record levelling round of 63, before eventually finishing tied 14th.

However, since then, Howell has suffered with lack of form and fitness as a mysterious back injury forced him to be sidelined for weeks at a time throughout last year.

The Swindon star was due to tee off at 12.15am (GMT) at Hong Kong Golf Course, alongside Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant.