SWINDON’S David Howell goes into the final day of the Dubai Desert Classic on the cusp of the top 50.

Despite a third consecutive under par round, having missed the cut on his last outing in Qatar, Howell looks likely to be watching the conclusion from the clubhouse.

Howell started on the right foot at the Emirates Golf Club, a home course for Howell, as he birdied the par-four second.

However, he followed that up with a dropped shot on the par-five third to return to level par.

Howell was back in the red on the next hole as he took just two shots on the par-three third, but a bogey on the ninth saw him go out in 35.

Just like before, the 40-year-old responded immediately to a dropped shot as he birdied the 10th but he was back to level par with his second six of the day on the par-five 13th.

A birdie on 17 ensured Howell secured his score of one under par for the day and four under par for the tournament.

However, that was only enough to leave him tied 50th at the close of play, 12 shots off overnight leader Danny Willett.