Who is the most liked professional on the European Tour, the man who does not own an iPhone or a BlackBerry, will not tweet and rejects invitations from his friends to join Facebook? The answer is David Howell, known everywhere as Howler.

Who writes the best blog on tour, is the author of a witty account of the day he got married and an afterdinner speaker with a good line in self-deprecation? Howell again. And the man who was ranked ninth in the world in 2006, when he defeated Tiger Woods to win a tournament in China but has now fallen to No 316? Sadly, that is Howell, too.

You think life is full of ups and downs? So does Howell, 34. One minute he has finished fourth in his first tournament as a professional only a few weeks after being in a winning Walker Cup team. The next he strains his wrist and is out of action for weeks.

One minute he is engaged to Emily and they talk of building a life together. The next, reluctant to make a commitment and convinced he will not get married until he is 35, he has broken off the engagement and is so depressed about this and how bad his golf is that he is reduced to tears and seeks counselling.

One minute he is swinging Vijay Singh’s weighted club before the start of the 2005 US Open, the next he has injured himself and has to withdraw from the event. One minute he is out for a run, the next he has fallen over his laces, broken his arm and golf is off the menu for months. Howell is living proof of how quickly life can change.

The man who played in the winning Ryder Cup teams of 2004 and 2006 is making a comeback and struggling desperately to keep up with the rash of low scoring in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura. His first round yesterday of 74, two over par, is 11 strokes behind Francesco Molinari, the leader.

Interestingly, in the course of a two-hour conversation in a restaurant in Weybridge, Surrey, Howell gives no impression that he is working hard to regain his form. He does not point to callouses on his hands and explain how many balls he has hit on the practice ground the morning before our meeting. Howell believes it is inspiration he needs, not perspiration.

When he was inspired to play his best golf, he thought he could do no wrong. “In 2006 I had a chance to win the Order of Merit, I won the PGA Championship at Wentworth and I beat Tiger in a tournament,” he said. “I felt invincible.”

Ah, invincibility. Not recognising it for the fickle mistress that it is, Howell allowed the feeling to encourage him to change the swing that had taken him to that level. “I am a natural,” he said. “I came out as a natural golfer who has never had a lesson in his life, and I did all right, and I tried to become a different player.

“I see the game as a physical not mental challenge, because I know my mind is my strength. I know now that I have had some pretty low moments these past few years and I need to get back to doing what I used to.”

From realising what he has to do to achieving it can take a long time, but Howell is cheerful as he contemplates the journey. He is settled now and married to Emily, although she works and lives in Dubai while he lives in a flat in Weybridge. He is looking forward to five months in the Middle East with her, starting in a few weeks.

Suddenly, he looks round the restaurant as if he is searching for someone. “I like it here,” he said. “In this area, Weybridge is the biggest little town. I live there [he pointed to his flat]. Emily’s house is just down the road. You can have a good night out here.”

For now, though, what he needs are good days on the course, some low scores to regain his confidence and some putts to roll in as they used to. And, of course, a time without injury. Howell has been up and he has been down. Such a nice man deserves to get back to the top of the game.