DAVID Howell admits there is room for improvement in his game, despite making his first cut on the European Tour in eight months at the British Masters in Southport last week.

Swindon star Howell made five birdies in 11 holes in last Friday’s second round at Hillside Golf Club to end the first half of the competition two-under.

That was enough to make the cut by a single shot – the first time he has done so on Tour this season.

A pair of one-under rounds on days three and four ensured the 43-year-old ended the event four-under in a tie for 42nd place – pocketing more than £15,000 in prize money.

But the two-time Ryder Cup winner admits improving his performance from tee to green is crucial if he is to build on his form when next taking to the course in Denmark a week on Thursday.

Howell said: “I really did struggle from tee to green, I wasn’t comfortable.

“I need to improve my hitting and work on my swing. I’m not hitting the ball well enough at the moment to play against the best players in Europe.

“I was with one of my coaches on Monday morning to go over that, and it struck me quite hard – I know I have to hit the ball better.

“The way I’m trying to swing at the moment isn’t allowing me to achieve that.

“My golf isn’t enjoyable at the moment because I’m not hitting the ball solidly or with any conviction.”

Regardless of his own personal need to improve his form from the tee, Howell admits getting the monkey off his back and making his first cut of the season came as a slight relief.

Working on his mindset building up to last week’s British Masters proved key in Howell’s success, and he has since stated he will remain grounded with tournament’s in Denmark and Belgium approaching later this month.

He added: “It’s so important to make cuts, it makes you feel so different about things.

“Even if you don’t play well – which I didn’t, I didn’t hit the ball well – it helps. My putting was good, and my game plan was good.

“I stayed patient and have worked really hard on my mind in the last couple of weeks to get my head in a good place.

“That has paid dividends. In essence, that helped me make the cut, I believe.

“I felt as focused as I would be when trying to win a tournament, and that’s how things should be all of the time.

“But that’s not always the case.

“It’s always an easier feeling starting day three than day one, especially if a player ever finds themselves in a situation similar to mine.”