SWINDON’S David Howell is relishing the atmosphere of the new Made in Denmark tournament at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, Farsø, that starts today.

It is the first time a European Tour event has been played in Denmark since 2003, when Ian Poulter beat Colin Montgomerie in a play-off for the Nordic Open title.

All 15,000 week passes for the tournament have sold out meaning there is potential for more than 20,000 people to be attending each of Made in Denmark’s four days.

It is a prospect that excites the Broome Manor pro as he looks to tap into the form from his strong showing at The Open last month.

“We played in Denmark 11-years-ago and it’s nice to be back,” Howell told the Advertiser.

“It’s sold out at the weekend so there will be 20,000 spectators on the course that day so it should be a lot of fun. It’s a good venue for the crowd. My job is to play well out on the course and make the most of atmosphere.

“I’ve felt much better in the last few events, it was a bit disappointing in America with a poor Sunday. When I played in the Pro-Am (yesterday) there were no major worries and now I’m looking forward to getting the card in my hand.

“I’ve only had one top 10 so far, I have to keep the foot to the floor to make sure this not a wasted year. This is the sort of tournament I need to put at a good performance in and have a chance on Sunday, so top 40 minimum.

“I need to continue that momentum out there for another top 10. The way I played at The Open is the kind of golf I need to be playing until the end of the year. It’s all fairly promising, I wouldn’t say high hopes but I have nothing to fear.”

Technically the 39-year-old says he feels in good shape and the radical work on his swing is visibly noticeable but not yet the finished product.

“It’s a still a work in progress, I’ve been on the range and I’m swinging as well as I have done. It still feels like a bit of transition period and I need a bit of a confidence is getting the balance right. I’m still finding the right kind of thoughts on tournament days.

“I do feel like I’m making a fundamental change to my swing and it’s continuing to look very different to two months ago, but I believe it’s going in the right direction.”

Howell goes at 7.20am this morning, follow his progress throughout the tournament with the Swindon Advertiser.