DAVID Howell was unable to produce the goods in front of new coach Brad Malone as fellow Wiltshire player Laurie Canter failed to build on a promising start at the European Tour's KLM Open in Holland today.

Swindon's Howell, who was joined by new guru Malone at a tournament for the first time in Spijk, shot an opening 75 to slip towards the back of the field while Canter, who is based at the Cumberwell Park club near Bradford on Avon, eventually signed for a 73 having at one stage looked in a position to threaten the early leaders.

A refreshed Howell arrived in good shape after decent finishes at both the recent Czech Masters - tied third was his best result of the season - and Omega European Masters, but found The Dutch course layout a tough proposition.

A dismal start saw the two-time Ryder Cup star bogey his opening two holes, while another shot went at the short eighth in a birdie-less outward half of 38.

Four successive pars after the turn steadied the ship but things took a turn for the worst at the par three 14th - the shortest hole on the course - as he posted a double-bogey five.

Howell repaired some of that damage with a birdie at the long 15th but that was the sole bright spot on a difficult first day, leaving him an upward task to make the cut tomorrow.

Canter meanwhile made a storming start from the 10th, reeling off a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th hole to reach three under par.

He dropped two shots in the next three holes, but birdies the 18th - his ninth - to reach the 18th in 34.

His inward nine proved a tougher assignment though, the 26 year old bogeying the first and ninth as well as adding a double bogey six at the seventh.

England's Ben Evans led the way early on, posting a six under par round of 65.