DAVID Howell’s Austrian operation began healthily enough as the Swindon star made his comeback from illness at the Lyoness Open today.

Playing on the European Tour for only the second time in three-and-a-half months, the 40-year-old got his opening round at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg off to a rip-roaring start as he snaffled three birdies from his first four holes but Howell went on to card a one-under-par score of 71 overall.

The Broome Manor Ace, who returned to action at the BMW PGA Championship a fortnight ago after a lengthy spell out with a foot injury, was in dreamland early on as, starting on the front nine, he went under-par on the first, third and fourth holes.

Bogies followed on the par-three sixth and par-four 10th but Howell did steady the ship with his fourth birdie of the round on the 11th.

The Swindon man then made par all the way through to the par-four 17th, where he dropped another shot to round off his one-under-par round.

Two other rookie Wiltshire competitors were also in action in Austria but endured tougher outings than two-time Ryder Cup winner Howell.

Jordan Smith, 23, from Derry Hill, near Calne, finished three over-par, finding trouble on the par-four seventh as he carded a double bogey whilst also bogeying the 14th , 17th and 18th and birdying the 15th.

Laurie Canter, who plays out of Cumberwell Park in Bradford on Avon, also recorded a round of 75, with the 26-year-old making three birdies but slumping to a double bogey on the sixth whilst also dropping four shots.

Howell tees off his second round at 8am UK time on Friday morning, with Canter and Smith heading out at 7.50am and 1pm respectively.