THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Padraig Harrington wins Open in playoff Round 4: Late bogeys cost Romero The Open Round 4: No final round charge from Tiger Woods Round 4: Richard Green equals course record Round 4: 18th at Carnoustie strikes again Round 3: Sergio Garcia in sight of first major title Round 3: Justin Rose boosted by round of 67 Round 3: Late problems cost Ian Poulter dear Round 3: Tiger Woods shoots 69 but still eight back Round 3: Chris DiMarco back in the mix after a 65 Round 3: Steve Stricker shoots course record Round 2: Sergio Garcia holds on to lead on Friday Round 2: Rory McIlroy claims Silver Medal Round 2: Garcia not bothered when he wins major Round 2: Phil Mickelson struggles and misses cut Round 2: Tiger Woods still in the hunt despite 74 Round 2: Weir jumps into contention with round of 68 Round 1: Sergio Garcia leads with opening 65 Round 1: David Howell happy with eventful 72 Round 1: KJ Choi happy despite late bogeys Round 1: Inspired Michael Campbell shoots 68 Round 1: Ruling overshadows Tiger's round Round 1: Last minute tip helps McGinley to a 67 Round 1: Amateur Rory McIlroy scores a 68 Top 20 favourites for the Open Tiger Woods targets third straight Open title Paul Lawrie returns to site of famous victory Colin Montgomerie backs European winner Draw for first & second rounds Seve Ballesteros retires from golf Jean Van de Velde suffering from unknown illness Wild weather day at Carnoustie Jim Furyk enjoys his low profile Phil Mickelson not worried about driving problems Peter Fowler aims to get career back on track Nick Faldo fears for "nice" Europeans No distractions for Tiger Woods Paul Lawrie still not getting credit for Open win Jose Maria Olazabal withdraws from the Open Rod Pampling seeks to change Carnoustie luck Sergio Garcia unhappy with Scottish weather Weather biggest factor in how Carnoustie will play Gary Player says some players take steriods Justin Rose seeks to break European drought Quotations about the Open Championship Course Guide: Carnoustie 2007 European Tour Schedule GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Golf Insurance

David Howell happy with eventful 72

David Howell produced an extraordinary one-over-par 72 in the Open first round on Thursday that contained only six par figures.

The 32-year-old Briton 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 told reporters. "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.