Open benefits from trio's struggles

The Portuguese Open has attracted more big names than normal this week, but as David Howell admitted today: “We’re here because we’re not playing that well.”

Howell is joined at Oitavos Dunes near Estoril by 2006 Ryder Cup team-mates Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley and for all of them it is a clear indication of how far they have fallen since their K Club heroics.