David Howell admits it. He's had a miserable time in U.S. events this year.

There was the tie for 65th at Pebble Beach, a tie for 36th at Bay Hill, and missed cuts at the Nissan Open and The Players Championship.

Not exactly the results he wanted heading into his first Masters Tournament.

"It's a bit like, you know, you're good at your job and you move to a new office and then you're not doing your job very well. It's frustrating," said Howell, a veteran European Tour player who lives in Weybridge, England.

Howell wasn't fazed by the weather, his unfamiliarity with Augusta National Golf Club or by having to start at No. 10 when the second round finally started Friday morning.

He blistered the first eight holes on the back nine and will return in a three-way tie for the lead at 5-under par when play resumes this morning.

And he can't wait to get back to the course today. He has a 6-foot putt for par waiting for him at No. 18.

"I would have liked to have played that hole better, but I can roll that in, I am sure," Howell said.

His brashness is based on the fact that Howell had birdies on Nos. 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16 on Friday. He talked about hitting a "lovely drive" and a "beautiful 6-iron" on 10, a "beautiful putt" on 11, a "nice drive" on 13, a "good chip" on 15 and how "pleased" he was to hole his putt on 16.

"Well, I mean, I'm obviously delighted with my day's work, even though it was only eight holes of golf at the end of the day," Howell said. "That was all I could do, and I managed to play well."

And it would seem he has an advantage over co-leaders Luke Donald and Chris DiMarco when play resumes. If the golfers are forced to finish the second and third rounds today, Howell will have to play only 28 holes, compared with Donald, who finished two holes Friday and would have to play 34. DiMarco completed only one and faces the challenge of playing nearly two full rounds in one day.

Said Howell: "It's going to be a long day. Finish out, make the cut, etc., but I am enjoying the whole experience."

He had much the same plan in September, when he was a critical part of Europe's Ryder Cup victory at Oakland Hills Country Club. Howell and partner Paul Casey defeated Chad Campbell and Jim Furyk in a four-ball session, with Howell making a birdie putt to help the duo pull even. Casey won the next hole for a point.

"I wasn't particularly nervous on the first tee this week," Howell said. "... Probably you can look back to the Ryder Cup there. You know, I've handled pressure really well at times in my career. I've struggled at other times when I wouldn't have thought I would have done. And I stood up pretty well in the Ryder Cup when I played."

No matter how he finishes at the Masters, Howell plans to play at least eight more times in the U.S. this year in addition to a hectic international schedule. And then, maybe, he'll unwind back home in the manner he told one of his fans on his Web site - davidhowellgolf.com.

"When I'm at home, I like a few pints at my local pub with my mates, going to the cinema and having dinner with my girlfriend, Emily."

Not this weekend, though. There's plenty of work to be done.