GOLF: DAVID Howell was ending his month-long injury exile from competitive golf in one of the glamour groups at the Quinn Direct British Masters this morning.

Howell, who hasn't played since his top-20 finish at the Masters last month, was joined by Ryder Cup teammates Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez for their early start at the Belfry.

The Swindon star has been nursing a back problem which has kept him off course since Augusta but is philosophical about his fitness issues.

"Some guys are lucky enough to play for 25 years without injury, but I'm not of that mould,'' said Howell.

"I just look at it as part of the game some guys can't putt, I can't play long spells without injury.'' Meanwhile, four years on from sinking the putt that won the Ryder Cup, Paul McGinley is delighted to be back at The Belfry this week.

But that does not change the fact that when Saturday comes the 39-year-old Dubliner might well be seen fleeing the place as quickly as he can.

West Ham fan McGinley and Liverpool supporters Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn have laid plans to charter a helicopter so that they can get to the FA Cup final in Cardiff. And a decision taken weeks ago could enable them to see the whole match.

The third round of the £1.8million tournament the European tour's first stop in Britain this season is scheduled to finish at 2.30pm so that spectators can watch the final half an hour later on a giant screen.

"I didn't have a say in the tee-off times," said McGinley. "It was a BBC decision and it was made well before West Ham got into the final.

"As a West Ham fan you don't make plans before they actually get there!"