DAVID Howell will be hoping inhospitable weather conditions in Italy do not derail his growing momentum.

In carding two sub-70 rounds in Spain last weekend, Broome Manor’s two-time Ryder Cup winner showed some signs of returning to the sort of form that once saw him break into the world’s top 10.

Howell will be hoping to build on that tied-14th finish when the European Tour moves to Turin for the Italian Open this week but yesterday’s pro-am warm-up was completely washed out and the forecast for today is not any better.

Weather permitting, Howell was due to tee off at 8.15am local time in an all-English three-ball alongside Simon Dyson and Robert Rock.