DAVID Howell admits any chance of earning a spot on this year’s Ryder Cup team are remote.

The Wrag Barn pro has endured a difficult campaign on the European Tour to date with his best performance coming in Malmo earlier this month.

And while the 38-year-old hopes his display in Sweden is the turning point of his year, he knows that he would require a stunning summer if he was to make Paul McGinley’s Europe team at Gleneagles.

“To be honest the Ryder Cup is not in my thoughts,” Howell told the Advertiser ahead of today’s the Irish Open at the Forta Island Resort in County Cork.

“Of course, it would be nice to play in another Ryder Cup, in fact maybe two or three.

“But I know that I haven’t played well enough this season so far to warrant a place, so I’m not even thinking about it.”

Howell made his Ryder Cup debut in 2004 as Europe crushed the USA 18.5-9.5 at Oakland Hills, Michigan, where it was the largest margin victory by any European team, while the biggest win by either team since 1981.

The Swindon star then returned to the Ryder Cup team two years later as Europe equalled their winning margin of the previous event.

“Maybe if I have a fantastic summer then who knows, but it is not at the forefront of my mind,” he added.