(Reuters) - David Howell produced an extraordinary one over par 72 in The Open first round that contained only six par figures.
The 32 year old Englishman made a dreadful start when he followed two opening bogey fives with a double-bogey six at the third.
Howell then suddenly burst into life with a string of four birdies in five holes to the eighth.
"It certainly wasn't the best of starts," Howell said. "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I reached the fourth hole.
"But after making the birdie on four there was some light at the end of the tunnel and I was able to laugh about the start."
Howell has missed a large chunk of the season because of a recurrence of his old back injury and it flared up again on the eve of The Open.
"It wasn't great yesterday," he said. "It has been a bit up and down for a few weeks.
"I had a little pain in the lower back yesterday and it was as bad as it's been in that period. I was fretting about how I would feel this morning but I warmed up well and my body felt good today."
Howell sprinkled his back nine with two birdies and two bogeys and declared himself satisfied at the end of the round.
"If you had asked me on the fourth tee if I'd be happy with one over, I'd have snapped your hand off," he said.
