GOLF: David Howell may be playing down his hopes of winning the British Masters but, after an impressive first round 70 at the Belfry, don't be fooled. He is well in contention.

Successive birdies late on transformed a steady round into a decent one as Howell played his first 18 holes since injuring his back a month ago.

Having hit no more than a seven iron before Wednesday, Howell could have been forgiven for playing within himself, but late inspiration sees him just five shots off joint leaders Darren Clarke and Peter Hanson.

Starting on hole 10 with 2004 Ryder Cup teammates Clark and Miguel Angel Jiminez, Howell looked to be settling for a frustrating round until at last sinking putts on holes six and seven for birdie and shooting him up the leaderboard.

Having missed countless chances previously, the large crowd on the 395-yard par four were reluctant to get excited when, for the umpteenth time, Howell landed an approach 10 feet from the pin.

He sank the putt though and instantly birdied the next hole, a 177-yard par 3.

It all seemed a far cry from Howell's earlier woe with the putter.

Chances of birdies were missed at holes 10, 12, 13 and 14 before he finally recorded his first of the round at the par five 15th.

Howell bravely took on the 566-yard hole, the largest on the course, and after reaching the edge of the green in two he got up and down to move to one under.

He was unable to kick on though, and after further missed birdie chances at 16 and 18, Howell recorded his first and only birdie at the 411-yard par four first after two-putting from 10 feet.

Howell then parred holes two, three, four and five before giving himself a chance with a late flurry.

Meanwhile Clarke was wooing the galleries with an explosive round of 66 including an eagle three on the third and Jiminez finished with Howell on two under par.