Howell eager to build on impressive 2006

David Howell is hoping a good performance at the Dubai Desert Classic this week could signal a return to the form he enjoyed for much of last year.

The Swindon man enjoyed his best year to date in 2006 as he won the European Tour season-opening HSBC Champions trophy, captured the BMW Championship at Wentworth and earned a place on the Ryder Cup team.

However, a back injury meant his form tailed off towards the end of the year and, after looking well-placed to win the European Tour Order of Merit, he dropped to eventually finish third while Padraig Harrington took the honour instead.

But Howell is keen to focus on the positives and, after taking a six-week break to recuperate, wants to make the ideal start to 2007 at the Emirates Golf Club.

“It was my best year to date as I won two huge tournaments, finished third on the Order of Merit and the Ryder Cup was obviously fantastic,” he said.

“That being said, not winning the Order of Merit was a big disappointment. I had put my heart into trying to win it and things didn’t go quite right from the middle of the year onwards.

“You are not sure how many chances you are going to have to win it and that was certainly a glorious opportunity last year.

“But on the flip side if you are going to sit there and be down in the dumps it would be stupid.

“It was my most successful year and I have got to look at in those terms, so if I can do even better this year it would be great.”

Headlining the event is world number one Tiger Woods, who returns to defend his title after edging Ernie Els in a play-off last year.

The 12-time major winner arrives in Dubai fresh from winning his seventh successive PGA Tour event at the Buick Invitational on Sunday.

“It is just an incredible feat,” added Howell. “Vijay (Singh) won 10 or 11 times in one season over there a couple of years back and I haven’t won over there once so to win seven in a row is good.

“He just seems to go from strength to strength. Even his down years are fantastic and his up years are incredible.

“You cannot stand around and marvel at his feats but you certainly have to respect them.”