Howell won't relax until he secures Augusta place

Ryder Cup debutant David Howell says he will not relax until he has qualified for next season's US Masters.

Howell has already sealed his place in golf's three other majors for 2005 and he followed his third place at Mount Juliet last weekend by opening with a seven-under-par 65 at Kingsbarns in the Dunhill Links Championship.

But the Englishman, partnering actor Samuel L Jackson, is determined to make the Augusta line-up by climbing into the world's top 50. Howell, 29, said: "I have been working for a few years now to try to play a really top schedule. Another good week this week will be another step in the right direction."

Howell will start his second round at St Andrews three off the lead after Graeme McDowell's record-equalling 62 on the Old Course. Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald was six under and South African Retief Goosen shot a seven-under 65 at Kingsbarns. Fellow South African Ernie Els resumes on four under, level with world No1 Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Levet.