DAVID Howell failed to build on an early flourish as he fell away on the homeward nine at the Portugal Masters earlier today.

The 41-year-old got off to an impressive start in his opening round in the Algrave as he went out in a three-under par 33, however, the Swindon ace finished with a one-under round of 70 at the Victoria Clube de Golfe in Vilamoura.

The Broome Manor pro’s early promise came as Howell, starting on the back nine, notched up three birdies in his opening six holes, improving his score on the par-four 10th, par-five 12th and par-four 14th.

Away from those bright points, Howell made par through the remainder of his first nine holes but the two-time Ryder Cup winner soon hit a handful of bumps in the road.

After dropping a shot on the par-four third, a second successive bogey followed for Howell on the fourth to chip away at his earlier good work.

The Swindon golfer did manage to birdie the par-five fifth but suffered another hiccup on the par-three sixth to return to the clubhouse on one-under overall.