DAVID Howell tees off in the Madrid Masters this afternoon hoping some late night practice will have helped iron out the number of creases in his game.

Howell, who flew into the Spanish capital yesterday, spent all of Sunday evening with coach Clive Tucker on the Wentworth range as the pair attempted to correct an error in the Broome Manor pro’s line of swing.

And after the session, the former Ryder Cup star appeared optimistic about his chances at the Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola Club de Campo, insisting he has felt his form improving week on week.

“We’ve drawn a line in the sand after Wentworth,” he said.

“I didn’t putt well and it was just a case of getting the ball around a golf course.

“But Clive and I spent a while on the range on Sunday working hard and attacking the points we pulled up from the round.

“We’ve looked at what we can change and hopefully it will pay off this week.

“I think it’s fair to say this year has been better than the last few. I’ve had three top 20s, and the cuts I’ve missed of late have surprised me, whereas the ones I missed last year didn’t.”

Howell was left disappointed after an overall score of four-under-par at Walton Heath on Monday was not enough to secure him a spot at the US Open later this year.

But there were enough positives in his two rounds - a 68 and a 72 - to convince the Swindon man that he is some way back to the form which saw him briefly enter the world’s elite four years ago.

“If I compare my scores recently to the equivalent ones last year it shows it’s getting better,” he said.

“Every one is a little step in the right direction and the more rounds I get like that, the more delighted I am.”

Howell revealed how his renewed partnership with coach Tucker has helped him settle down and enjoy his game more and more since the turn of the year.

And he is hoping for a long and prosperous relationship with the man he credits with turning his form around.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together working on various things and I’m delighted how it’s worked out,” he said.

“I have been made aware of how lost I’ve been in the last couple of years.

“Now we’re enjoying what we’re doing together and it’s paying off.”

Howell, who has never played on the Madrid course, tees off today at 1.50pm local time (12.50 BST) with playing partners Thongchai Jaidee and Marcus Fraser.