DAVID Howell's miserable Welsh Open challenge came to an end yesterday as the Broome Manor man failed to make the cut at Celtic Manor.

After an opening day round of five over par, Howell went into yesterday knowing he needed a minor miracle to be in with a chance of playing through the weekend.

But another disappointing day across the border saw the former Ryder Cup star shoot a three over par 74 - meaning an eight over total finish and way off the cut.

However, as with his first day, the early signs were positive as Howell recorded an unblemished front nine on his card.

The problems started though on the back nine. A bogey at the 10th was followed by a double bogey on the par four 14th - the same as Thursday.

There were brief glimpses of the sort of golf the Swindonian is capable of with birdies at 15 and 18, but they were sandwiched either side of a couple more bogeys as Howell ended a tournament to forget.