A MOMENT of clarity during practice has led David Howell to believe he may have consigned his poor start to the season to history.

Howell, in Florida for the WGC-CA Championship which starts at the Doral resort tonight, has been off-colour so far in 2007, a loss of form that has seen his world ranking slip from just outside the top 10 to 19 in recent weeks.

But after returning home early following a missed cut in Singapore two weeks ago, the 31-year-old Swindonian believes a light came on in my head' during practice last week.

I'm looking for the consistency that's been lacking in my game and hopefully I've found a few things in practice which will turn my game around,'' said Howell, who was teeing off his bid from the 10th at the Blue Monster course at 4.20pm (British time) today.

I feel good, but I'm not getting carried away because I haven't tried things out in competition yet.'' Howell is at a loss to explain his disappointing early-season showing, admitting: We hadn't been able to find out what was holding me back.

But last week it was just like we flicked a switch and a light came on in my head.

To be honest, there's no better time to play poorly than January, February and March, but from now on you really need to be on your game because the season's first Major (the Masters) is just round the corner.''