But fighter David's still battling back: A PHILOSOPHICAL David Howell is continuing to beat the pain barrier but admits to nagging concerns' with the Ryder Cup just around the corner.

The Swindon golfer has been struggling with a back injury ever since the first round of the Masters in April, but showed again yesterday his ability to make light of the problem.

Howell showed no sign of weakness, finishing day one at Wentworth in a four-way tie in second place on the BMW Championship leaderboard, but admits with three majors and a Ryder Cup still to come he is a bit wary of a relapse.

The European Order of Merit leader revealed he was still far from being in perfect condition and how a change in his swing has helped him battle through.

He said: "There was no problem with the back on the way round but I certainly know about it afterwards. I am feeling a bit stiff now. It is not causing problems on the course just hindering me off it.

"There is the concern the injury might come about at the real wrong time of the year, ie the Ryder Cup and that is still a worry but it doesn't feel as though it will break down.

"You try to be philosophical about it. I spoke to Darren Clarke during the British Masters when we were watching the cup final and asked whether he had ever missed a tournament through injury.

"He said no' not in 13 years of playing, so some people are lucky. My body lets me down just like putting lets other people down.

"I have changed my set-up a bit to help and that helped me make a breakthrough.

"It is only a small change and just gets me in the same position but in a different way."

His troublesome back caused him to pull out of last week's Irish Open, a decision which, after five birdies and a four-under par 68, proved a good decision.

"I definitely made the right choice," he said. "The injury is improving all the time though and I am not sure it will get any better through rest.

"I am trying to whack the cover off the ball, just to keep up with Mr Cabrera, and it has stood up well to the test."

Playing with Michael Campbell and defending champion Angel Cabrera, Howell made his first in-roads on the leaders with a birdie on the 552-yard par five fourth, chipping to within five feet from the edge of the green.

He then sunk a 35-foot putt on the par-four sixth for birdie before hitting an eight iron to within four foot for another birdie on the par-four seventh.

He continued his push on the 184-yard par three tenth, sinking a seven foot put after a superb five iron approach, moving to four-under for the round.

Howell then missed three birdie chances on the next three holes before dropping back to three-under, after a poor pitch saw him two put on the par three 14th.

With Cabrera stepping up his title defence on the back nine, Howell ensured they went in level pegging with his final birdie of the round on the 17th.