DAVID Howell produced another solid under-par round at the Qatar Masters today to ensure he will remain in action over the weekend.

Swindon star Howell opened up the tournament with a three-under par 69 in Thursday’s first round and followed that up with a two-under 70 on Friday to climb to five under.

The tournament is just a second for the Broome Manor man on the European Tour in 2018 after a series of injury issues and he heads into the final two rounds six shots off the lead held by Spaniard Adrian Otaegui at 11-under.

Teeing off at the 10th hole at Doha Golf Club this morning, Howell enjoyed a superb start after opening up his round with a birdie.

Although that was undone by a first bogey of the day three holes later, another birdie at the 16th – Howell’s seventh – ensured he reached the turn in red figures at one-under.

Howell then registered another birdie at the second – his 11th – but he was unable to string a consistent run of form of holes together towards the finish.

The 42-year-old shot bogey, par, birdie, par, par over his final five holes to return to the clubhouse on two-under and five-under overall in a tie for 35th place.

Fellow Wiltshire golfer Jordan Smith missed the cut by one shot after a one-over second round of 73 to fall back to three-under overall.

The third of the county’s professionals in action, Laurie Canter, followed up his opening 74 with a 73 to finish well down the leaderboard on three-over.