A SUPERB run of five birdies in 11 holes look likely to see David Howell make his first cut of the season on the European Tour at the British Masters.

Swindon star Howell claimed five shots between the seventh and 17th holes of his second round to post a two-under 70 and reach two-under overall.

That has the Broome Manor man in a tie for 50th on the leaderboard at present, with one-under currently enough to make the cut.

Fellow Wiltshire golfer Jordan Smith is also at two-under overall, although did not fare so better in Friday’s second round as he shot a two-over 74.

Beginning his day at even following a level par 72 in the first round, Howell was quickly falling down the leaderboard after a disastrous start on Friday.

The 43-year-old opened proceedings with three bogeys in his first four holes and increase the likelihood of making it nine missed cuts from nine events on the European Tour this season.

Howell had not improved the situation after six holes, but a first birdie of the day on number seven prompted a dramatic turnaround.

Two more birdies followed at holes eight and nine to make it three in a row and get Howell back to level par for the day and overall.

The momentum continued after the turn as another birdie arrived at the 11th.

And there was further good news before the finish as Howell recorded his fifth birdie of the day at the penultimate hole before following it up with a closing par to make it a two-under round for two-under overall.

Howell is level pegging on the leaderboard with Derry Hill’s Smith, who endured his own up-and-down day.

Starting at four-under after a fine opening round of 68, Smith began his day in perfect fashion with an opening birdie.

However, the wheels fell off his round around the turn as he dropped four shots in three holes, including taking a double bogey seven at his 11th.

A shot was claimed back at the next, but a run of six pars in a row brought Bowood player Smith’s round to a close at two-over for two-under overall.