Lee Westwood’s victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January was his 25th victory on the European Tour and increased his chances of making an 11th Ryder Cup. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

LEE Westwood is prepared to miss key events on the PGA Tour because of the planned quarantine restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.

And his reasoning could be the biggest hint yet that the European Tour is ready to return to action in July at the British Masters, which Westwood is set to host for a second time at Close House.

Westwood, who is in line to qualify for his 11th Ryder Cup appearance after his victory in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, has indicated he will miss the first two events when the PGA Tour returns in June.

But in a TV interview in the USA, Westwood said: “Right now, I won’t be playing them.

“Not with having to leave here two weeks before, quarantine, then play the two tournaments, then come back here and quarantine again.”

Former European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood has also said he won’t return to the USA to compete in the first few events.

The first four are to be played behind closed doors with no spectators.

Next month’s Charles Schwab Challenge will be the first scheduled PGA Tour event since The Players was called off after the first round, in March.

The Heritage at Hilton Head, in South Carolina, follows a week later.

But all of the 25 international players due to play in Texas, would need to be in the USA by Monday, May 25, to meet the quarantine regulations on foreigners travelling to America.

Westwood revealed his reasoning by saying: “It’s six weeks for two tournaments, and to me, that’s just not worth it.

“And it’s not worth taking the risk if everybody thinks that those kind of precautions have got to be in place.

“I don’t feel like golf’s a priority if it’s that severe.’”

Lee Westwood with Close House owner Graham Wylie – the pair will host the 2020 Betfred British Masters

Westwood set to host British Masters for a second time

WESTWOOD has the added complication that he is due to host the British Masters, which is scheduled to be played from July 30-August 2.

The European Tour event at Newcastle’s Close House – close to where the World No. 31 is based – is now expected to be the first action for the Wentworth-based Tour.

All European Tour events were called off after the end of February, when the Oman Open was held in the Middle East.

If the British Masters goes ahead as planned, Westwood, and any other top European players who enter, will be unable to play in the PGA Championship – unless the US quarantine rules are relaxed by then.

The USPGA was moved from mid-May to the early August slot after the cancellation of the Men’s Golf at the Tokyo Olympics, allowed the Major to move back to an August date.

Last year was the first time the USPGA had been held in its new May date, and after the Masters and US Open were postponed – and the Open Championship at Royal St George’s was moved back to 2021 – the USPGA is set to be the first Major of the 2020 season.

Fans are not expected to be allowed at the British Masters.

And Westwood is conscious of the need to balance safety – while the risk of a second wave in the coronavirus crisis exists – and trying to put on some golf for the public to watch while the lockdown.

Westwood added: “Obviously, people want something to watch, and it’s a good way to kick-start your economy.

“But we don’t want a second wave, so we have to make sure we are very, very safe.”

‘Robust testing and hygiene processes’

Matt Fitzpatrick won the British Masters at Woburn, in 2015

The European Tour has been working ceaselessly trying to reschedule its season.

But chief executive Keith Pelley has said he will not disclose the details until the Tour is happy it has “robust testing and hygiene processes” in place.

Westwood’s reason for returning to the UK suggests, however, the British Masters could well be the European Tour’s first event on the new 2020 calendar.

Previous winners of the British Masters include Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, who claimed the title at Walton Heath in 2018.

And Yorkshire’s Matt Fitzpatrick recorded his first European Tour win at Woburn, in 2015.

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Eddie Pepperell is focusing on the European Tour”s plans to play between September and December after the coronavirus wiped out the spring season and early summer events. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRILFORD Heath’s Eddie Pepperell believes August’s USPGA Championship is the most likely date for any meaningful return to golf.

With all four of the 2020 Majors rearranged – or in the case of The Open at Royal St George’s, which has been cancelled until 2021 – the PGA Tour is reportedly about to announce a return to action in June.

Speculation has been rife in the past 24 hours that Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, from June 11-14, is the event the PGA Tour will choose to kick off its resumed schedule, after The Players Championship was abandoned after just 18 holes in March.

Pepperell, who finished tied third at Sawgrass a year ago but was not eligible for the 2020 Players Championship – the last event to be played in the USA – still thinks the middle of June may be both “optimistic and unrealistic” for a resumption.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Pepperell said the USPGA at San Francisco’s TPC Harding, was more likely to go ahead – possibly without spectators.

Pepperell said: “We’re still quite a long time away from August. I could see it happening, but maybe with no crowds.

“The issue is how international the field is. You’re going to have Asian, South American or African players who may be under severe travel restrictions. So then, how fair is it?

“Personally, I would go if it’s deemed safe to do so,” added Pepperell, who has been in lockdown with his dog Gus at his Oxfordshire home, near Abingdon.

But the former England international, who has two European Tour wins under his belt, admitted he was not keen on the idea of having to spend up to 14 days in isolation in the USA before playing the USPGA.

Eddie, who made his debut in the USPGA at Bellerive, in 2018, added: “I’m not in that much of a hurry to get back to golf that I’d be willing to quarantine myself in a hotel for a week beforehand.

“That would change the game for me,” said Pepperell, who won the Portuguese Amateur in 2011.

Eddie Pepperell – winner of the 2018 Betfred British Masters – is looking forward to a run of events in the UK later in the year if the European Tour plans to reschedule the season work. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

We may have to take 30-50% pay cut

EUROPEAN Tour chief Keith Pelley wrote to all the players earlier this week warning them to expect major pay cuts and less “perks” on Tour.

Tour chiefs based at Wentworth have been working hard on condensing their own events into a possible 16-week window between September and Christmas.

That plan may see events concentrated in the UK with more than one event in the same week – and possibly more than one tournament played at the same venue.

The most likely scenario could see the Scottish Open, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the BMW PGA at Wentworth and the British Masters all played in the UK within a month.

That would minimise disruption for overseas players who may be required to self-isolate before being cleared to play, as well as the need for testing for COVID-19 before players could compete.

Pepperell, who won the British Masters at Walton Heath, in October 2018, and sits on the European Tour’s influential Tournament Committee has backed such an idea.

“It would be great,” he said. “If someone said to me now that, come September, we’re going to be playing 15 events before Christmas, crikey that would be something to look forward to.”

Pepperell, who is well-known for his insightful, funny and sometimes controversial views in his personal blog, and his comments on Twitter, has admitted he is not always the most positive thinker.

But former Drayton Park junior is still hoping that golf can get back to some sort of normality – along with the rest of society – over the coming months, even if life is unlikely to be the same for the foreseeable future.

The 30-year-old said: “Obviously, selfishly, I hope things will be fine.

“I suspect they won’t be. I suspect we’re going to have to take a serious pay cut.

“But if golfers and footballers and high-earners have to take a 30-50 per cent pay cut, this isn’t a disaster.

“I do have concerns. I’m not naturally the most optimistic person in the world.

“But I can see a scenario where the European Tour comes out of this OK, with some legs to stand on.

“The Tour and its sponsors may survive much in the way they did 10 years ago.

“I just hope that individuals, small businesses and people who have really taken risks over the last few years to make something of their lives come out the other end of this.

“Big companies can always survive, but my brother is a golf pro and I know he’s going to face difficulties.”

Eddie Pepperell knows any move to postpone the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits will help his own selelction hopes. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

‘Better chance to make Ryder Cup if it’s 2021’

PEPPERELL realises any decision to postpone September’s Ryder Cup clash against America could work to his benefit.

Having gone off the boil since his strong finish at Sawgrass just over a year ago, Pepperell – who was being tipped for the 2020 Ryder Cup at the start of the 2019 season – has slipped well down the rankings with only one top 10 finish since July.

He currently sits in 63rd place on the European Money list on the Ryder Cup rankings – two years ago he came close to making Thomas Bjorn’s team for Le Golf National in Paris – where his former B.B&O. team-mate Tyrrell Hatton made his debut.

Pepperell is not convinced the contest at Whistling Straits can go ahead

“I can’t see how they can keep the qualification process the same with theoretically only one Major before the Ryder Cup that will count,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I can’t see how Padraig Harrington is going to be keen to keep the same system – he’s going to have to change the way he picks.

“If it is postponed, then it gives me theoretically more chances to get in the team,” Eddie added.

“Maybe come September when things are clearing up, we’re going to be itching for something like the Ryder Cup.

“It could come at a brilliant time and I know Whistling Straits is just amazing – so it is going to be a great Ryder Cup there.

“From what I’m hearing, the 2022 Ryder Cup isn’t going to budge, so it’d be interesting to have back-to-back Ryder Cup years.”

• Eddie Pepperell switched from being a Mizuno staff player to play Ping clubs in 2020.

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European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has written to players warning them the days of rising prize funds will be hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Picture by EUROPEAN TOUR

EUROPEAN Tour stars face playing for smaller prize funds as well as the prospect of playing tournaments without spectators later this summer, according to a memo written by its chief executive Keith Pelley.

The update sent to players, which was leaked to the Daily Telegraph, warns that some of the “perks” of tour life will be reigned in significantly.

The professional game is planning for when the green light to resume will be given – when the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over – so golf can return to our TV screens at least.

But Pelley has warned everything from the kind of courtesy cars and tournament lounges where players and their families and support teams can relax before and after rounds and practice, could be affected.

Pelley’s email stated: “Our tour has enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years, in terms of prize funds, playing opportunities, and the overall standard of our events, as well as our broadcast product.

“The impact of coronavirus has stopped this rapid momentum in its tracks, and it will, in fact, require us to reassess many elements.”

While the trappings of tour life are bound to be hit, the Canadian who has revolutionised certain areas of the European Tour brand since taking over from George O’Grady, late in 2014, Pelley was most blunt about the likely affect on players’ earnings.

“Prize funds will also most likely be different,” Pelley added. “The reality is, the pandemic is going to have a profound impact on the Tour financially, as well as many of our partners, both in the sponsorship and broadcast areas.”

His latest update to the Tour’s members also stressed it make take until the autumn before they can resume playing tournaments – even though the USPGA and US Open have been rescheduled for August and September, respectively.

Several tournaments could be played at the same venue to make the hastily rearranged 2020 schedule run as smoothly as possible.

“Let us say we are given the go-ahead by governments and health authorities to resume play in the first week of September,” said Pelley.

Will season shrink into 16 weeks?

“That gives us 16 weeks between then and Christmas to try and play as many tournaments as possible.

“We are looking at options such as a) multiple tournaments in the same location; b) two tournaments in the same week or three in a fortnight; or c) three or four tournaments back-to-back in the UK with a 14-day ‘quarantine’ period ahead of that – to allow players not from the UK to come over and self-isolate in advance, if that health requirement is still in place then.”

Pelley stressed the Rolex Series and tournaments based in the UK are the priority for the Tour and its broadcaster Sky Sports – confirming the Tour will “play behind closed doors if necessary.”

The British Masters at Close House, in the North East – which was originally scheduled for July 30-August 2 – and the BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth (September 10-13), are two of the UK events on the schedule.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club, was due to be held from July 9-12, the week before The Open, at Royal St George’s, which has now been cancelled.

Meanwhile attracting stars from Hollywood to play the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (October 1-4) may pose more problems in 2020 than normal with celebrities filming and TV schedules – if the pro-am can be held at St Andrews the week after the Ryder Cup.

October’s Italian Open, which is a Rolex Series event, faces many hurdles before it can be played, given how badly Italy has fared from the number of COVID-19 deaths.

The other Rolex events are the Turkish Airlines Open (November 5-8) and the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which will have to be moved now that the Augusta Masters has been provisionally rearranged for November 12-15.

But if the South African event at Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club, has to be moved, that also means the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf will also have to be moved to December.

The final Rolex Series event will determine the Race to Dubai winner, which earned the European No. 1 Jon Rahm a £2million bonus, on top of the $3million cheque for the winner that week.

Graeme McDowell was set to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet in May before the COVID-19 outbreak. Could it still be played in the autumn?

11 events hit by coronavirus so far in 2020

SO far the European Tour has postponed eight tournaments and cancelled completely three more, including June’s inaugural Scandinavian Mixed, hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam.

At the moment the BMW International at Golfclub München in late June is the first event on the original schedule which has yet to be postponed, followed a week later by the French Open at Paris’ Le Golf National.

Other events in Continental Europe which could still be played are Switzerland’s Omega European Masters (August 27-30),  Germany’s Porsche European Open (September 3-6), Holland’s KLM Open (September 17-20), Spanish Open (October 15-18) and the Portugal Masters (October 22-25).

Among the countries where events were postponed in March and April were Ireland, Kenya, India, Malaysia, China, Morocco, the Czech Republic and Spain.

The European Tour has stressed that it would work to try to rearrange postponed tournaments wherever possible.

But the logistical problems created by the international travel bans alone, make that very difficult – let alone while the current uncertainty about lockdowns in each country continues.

It remains to be seen how many of those can be played in 2020, or if the European Tour will just be content to make sure they can still be played in 2021.

And that will depend on the support of the sponsors, or finding replacements should the economic impact of COVID-19 hit exisiting ones.

Certainly, if spectators can be admitted later in the year, both Sky and the European Tour, would be keen to resurrect the Irish Open.

Graeme McDowell was set to host at Mount Juliet at the end of May, before it was postponed at the end of March.

But the lack of light means it would surely have to be played before the clocks go back in October, without the size of the field having to be heavily restricted.

March’s Hero Indian Open – co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – was one of the first to be called off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

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Close House, home to European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood, has announced that the PING Junior Masters will take place at the club this summer during the build-up to the European Tour’s British Masters.

Westwood, Close House and PING all believe very passionately about the importance of introducing young people to the game of golf. In 2019 Close House delivered subsidised coaching in 26 schools within the community as well as hosting a school’s golf festival for over 200 children from 18 different schools.

“Helping to get more kids in the north excited about the game is very important. It’s been brilliant to see this event grow and develop and I can’t wait to meet this year’s participants in July,” commented club ambassador, Lee Westwood.

“It’s a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the eventual winner to play a part in the British Masters and tee it up with some of the world’s very best golfers,” he added.

The final will be held on Tuesday 28^th July, two days prior to the European Tour event, with each finalist receiving a PING cap as well as VIP access to the Hero Challenge taking place on the Tyne river. The overall winner will also receive entry into the 2020 British Masters pro-am on Wednesday 29^th July.

Qualifying stages for the tournament will take place at local clubs across the north of England from April, with each club’s Junior Open serving as a qualifier to the PING Junior Masters – with close to 90 spots available for the final.

John Clark, Managing Director of PING Europe, commented: “Over the last few years the Junior Masters has had an incredibly positive impact on junior golf in the region and the support that Close House and PING ambassador, Lee Westwood, has shown has been crucial in making the event what it is today.”

The first qualifying event will take place in April in Newcastle, with the remainder being played throughout the season at venues in Middlesbrough, Worksop, Ladybank and Bradford before the final at Close House in July.

“We are extremely proud of the work we have done at Close House to establish the PING Junior Masters as an annual event,” added Sir Graham Wylie, owner of Close House.

For more information on the PING Junior Masters and Close House, visit www.closehouse.com/british-masters.

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Close House

Golfers now have the opportunity to experience everything that 2020 British Masters venue, Close House, has to offer with the introduction of the club’s Country Membership initiative.

Situated on the outskirts of Newcastle, and the home club of European Ryder Cup legend, Lee Westwood, Close House’s Country Membership is open to all golfers residing further than 40 miles from the club.

Country Membership will allow players to indulge in the full Close House experience with access to all club facilities as well as exclusive members’ benefits, guest green fees and reduced accommodation rates.

“2020 is set to be a spectacular year at Close House,” commented Sir Graham Wylie, owner of Close House. “There has never been a better time to become a part of this exciting club as we welcome the return of the European Tour’s British Masters.”

Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director at Close House, added: “Becoming a Country Member is an excellent way for golfers living more than 40 miles away to experience everything that Close House has to offer, as well as discovering our fantastic member benefits.

“For as little as £66 a month, golfers can tee it up at a two-time European Tour venue and experience the full member’s package at Close House.”

Boasting the world’s only two Lee Westwood golf courses, as well as luxury on-site accommodation, Close House Country Members can unwind and enjoy a delicious meal in the ultra-modern, purpose-built No.19 clubhouse or head over to the PGA Academy where the professional team is on hand to provide expert tuition.

“Over the last decade Close House has evolved into one of the very best golfing destinations in the UK and, in many ways, reflects the vision of Lee Westwood, our attached Tour professional,” Sir Graham continued. “Being selected as the only venue to host the British Masters for a second time since its reintroduction is something we will be very proud of come August.”

Starting at just £66 per month, golfers can enjoy an extensive range of Country Member benefits at Close House, including: unlimited golf on both the Colt and Filly courses, discounted members’ guest green fees, unlimited number of stays at members’ discounted rate and much more. Country Membership at Close House confers full member status.

For further information on Close House and how to become a Country Member, visit www.CloseHouse.com or email craig.wright@closehouse.co.uk

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Dr Pawan Munjal gives 2019 Hero Challenge Dubai winner Erik van Rooyen the trophy. L-R: Henrik Stenson, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Patrick Reed, Vernon Kay, Danny Willett and Shane Lowry

THE Hero Challenge – featuring Major champions and Ryder Cup stars tackling tough short-hole targets in spectacular locations – is to expand over the next three years, the European Tour has announced.

The innovative format tournament, which has been played against stunning backdrops – including the Dubai skyline, the Liverpool docks, London’s Canary Wharf and Edinburgh Castle – has now been held at 10 European Tour events since 2016.

The new three-year deal signed by Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, will see the number of Hero Challenges rise from three to five each season.

The exciting and fast-paced shootout will take place 15 times between 2020 and 2022 at different iconic locations around the world.

The series of five annual events will begin in 2020 with the Abi Dhabi HSBC Championship – the first Rolex Series event of the season – before moving to Europe.

A Hero Challenge will precede the Betfred British Masters, to be hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House, near Newcastle, in May, with the city’s famous Tyne Bridge almost certain to feature as the backdrop.

Two more will be held in Europe before the series finale in Dubai, which will feature the winners of all four Hero Challenges, who will compete at the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Hero Motorcorp chairman Dr Pawan Munjal made the announcement on Tuesday, during the Hero Challenge ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai.

Played at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, the occasion marked the 10th edition of the Hero Challenge over the past three years.

Erik van Rooyen emerged as the winner of the final Hero Challenge of 2019.

The South African defeated Major Champions Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett, as well as Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Dr Munjal said: “Golf has rapidly gained prominence at the world stage, yet there is a constant need to push the envelope and bring innovation to attract younger audiences.

“We introduced the Hero Challenge on the European Tour in 2016 and this distinct format has greatly appealed to a new league of followers over the years.

“The overwhelming success of Hero Challenge has encouraged us to further strengthen our association with the European Tour.

“We have been immensely encouraged by the support and participation of all the icons of the game and will continue to work towards popularising the sport across the world.”

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Hero MotoCorp for a further three years, and we are delighted they share our passion for innovation.

“Thanks to the vision of Pawan Munjal, the creation of the Hero Challenge has taken golf and our global stars to some iconic locations around the world.

“We are extremely excited to be expanding this concept with additional events over the next three years as we take the Hero Challenge to some spectacular new locations.”

The first Hero Challenge was held in 2016 at The Grove prior to the British Masters.

Earlier this year, the Hero Challenge welcomed its first female star when Solheim Cup and Ladies European Tour winner Charley Hull teed it up at the action-packed event in Liverpool, in front of the iconic Liver Building.

The Hero Challenge is broadcast around the world with a household reach of more than 125 million for each event and is also live streamed on the European Tour’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Hero MotoCorp also sponsors the Indian Open, a co-sanctioned event with the Asian Tour, since it became part of the Tour’s schedule in 2015.

Hero has also supported the Women’s Indian Open since 2010, and sponsored India’s domestic women’s professional tour.

•To find out more about van Rooyen’s victory in the Hero Challenge click here.

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Betfred British Masters host Tommy Fleetwood will welcome defending champion Eddie Pepperell (right) to Hillside Golf Club, in his hometown of Southport, in May. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRILFORD Heath’s Eddie Pepperell is targeting a successful defence of his title in the Betfred British Masters after confirming he will join his friend, tournament host Tommy Fleetwood, in the field at Hillside Golf Club, from May 9-12.

Pepperell is just three days younger than Fleetwood and the pair grew up playing junior and amateur golf together, before latterly going on to enjoy multiple victories on the European Tour.

Both players are now ranked inside the top 40 on the Official World Golf Ranking – Fleetwood is 12^th and Pepperell 36^th – and are increasingly popular personalities among fans.

Pepperell claimed the biggest victory of his career to date in the British Masters at Walton Heath, in October, just two weeks after Fleetwood made a memorable Ryder Cup debut in Paris, winning four points alongside Francesco Molinari against the United States.

The pair were part of a four-way tie for the lead after the first round at Walton Heath, after matching rounds of 67.

But it was Pepperell who went on to win wire-to-wire, finishing two shots clear of Sweden’s Alexander Björk – courtesy of subsequent rounds of 69, 71 and 72, with Fleetwood eventually sharing ninth place.

It was Pepperell’s second victory of 2018 following the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and he said he discovered some newfound self-belief as a result.

Eddie revealed: “It was nice leading all week, feeling very comfortable in that position and actually expecting myself to win from Thursday.

“I definitely unlocked some confidence that week which I hadn’t felt before. I’m now looking forward to going to Hillside this year and trying to upset the Northerners.

“I’ve grown up with Tommy and the fact he’s hosting the event is great for him and I’m excited to be part of it for him and the Tour. I want to play well, put on a good show and get in amongst it.”

Fleetwood is following in the footsteps of previous hosts Ian Poulter (2015), Luke Donald (2016), Lee Westwood (2017) and most recently Justin Rose (2018) who have all played an important part in the success of the tournament following its reintroduction to the European Tour schedule.

Ryder Cup star Fleetwood grew up in the coastal town of Southport where Hillside Golf Club is located – just a stone’s throw from Royal Birkdale, which hosted the 2017 Open – and he is looking forward to welcoming his friend Pepperell to the area.

Tommy said: “He’s defending champion and it was his second win last year and I think it was his most impressive performance to date.

“It’s great to have him at Hillside. To be named British Masters champion is a very special title to have and he’s held the role brilliantly. We’re very lucky to watch him play again.”

Tickets to the 2019 Betfred British Masters hosted by Tommy Fleetwood at Hillside Golf Club from May 9-12 are available by clicking here

A range of hospitality packages are also available. Click here for more details.

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Frilford Heath’s Eddie Pepperell tweeted after his sensational third place at The Players Championship, at Sawgrass.

FRILFORD Heath’s Eddie Pepperell produced the performance of his life to shoot up the Players leaderboard even though he was eventually eclipsed by Rory McIlroy’s triumph at Sawgrass, finishing tied for third on Sunday.

While Irish eyes were smiling as McIlroy sparked a huge St Patrick’s Day celebration with his first win in golf’s unofficial fifth Major, it was the Oxfordshire ace’s remarkable rise up the leaderboard that delighted everyone who watched Eddie’s rise through the ranks as an amateur playing for B.B.&O. and England after a superb 66.

And that was topped by an incredible 30-foot putt at Sawgrass’ signature short hole for a two at the 17^th – his third birdie in a row and his fifth in seven holes from the 11^th.

His snaking shot came off a hump by the fringe before curling down the slope and into the bottom of the cup to send the huge crowd around the amphitheatre wild – even though he admitted he was walking after it as he expected to be left with just a tap in.

Eddie said: “I just figured it was going to be a tap-in. I was kind of relieved I didn’t have to face a three-footer in front of all those people, and then obviously when it went in.

“What can I say, it was pretty awesome, to be fair.”

The 28-year-old was in great company playing alongside Hampshire’s Justin Rose, who was hoping to gatecrash Rory’s party with a top five finish that would strengthen his hopes of regaining the World No. 1 crown from Dustin Johnson.

Pepperell admitted at the start of his round, lying in 16th place, he was not even contemplating beating his more illustrious playing partner.

Eddie added: “It was obviously fun. Playing with Justin was good. I mean, for the front nine, I just thought there’s no way I’m beating Justin today.

“He was pretty flawless and then it looked like he was going to kind of cruise around, and I kind of managed to make a couple of good birdies at the end of the front nine to give me something to go off.

“But it was a lot of fun. Obviously coming in on the 17th was special.”

That birdie got him to 14-under par and with Rory having made a bogey on the 14^th, Eddie was left with a difficult up and down on 18 to be the tournament leader in the clubhouse, and with a real chance of a play-off.

Eddie, who has two wins to his name on the European Tour after his victory in the British Masters at Walton Heath in October, added: “I knew that Jhonattan (Vegas) had hit the fairway, so I thought, he’s unlikely going to make a five from there.

“So I need to get this up-and-down on the last. And actually the chip was tougher than I thought it was going to be,” said Pepperell, whose drive down the last found the rough on the right.

He added: “So when I decided to hit the three-iron second shot to get up close to the green, I didn’t think it was going to be quite as fast, and then I saw it and obviously it was.

“I had to play it slightly different than how I had imagined it, but it was a nice putt to hole for sure.”

Pepperell, whose breakthrough win came in Qatar just over a year ago, was very pleased with his play over the back nine, which has seen tons of drama down the years – regardless of whether the Players has been played in March or May.

Eddie, who started Sunday down in 16^th place, said: “The bunker shot I hit on 14 and the pitch I holed on 15 were – no matter who hits them at any stage of a golf tournament – they’re great short game shots.

“They just gave me kind of a sense of huge confidence. I kind of felt invincible, really… around the greens.”

Having dropped a shot at the par five second, birdies at the seventh and ninth got him to the turn in one-under and nine-under for the tournament.

The former Drayton Golf Club junior got up and down well on the 11^th for a birdie, thanks to a perfect pitch.

He then made a birdie two at the 13^th before his crucial save from the bunker on the 14^th.

Back-to-back birdies on the 15^th and the par five 16^th got him within a sniff of Rory, and Eddie sent the temperature soaring with that putt on 17.

Pepperell, who is not a member of the PGA Tour, pocketed a cheque for $725,000.

But he admitted after feeling frustrated with his game in practice on Tuesday, the week at Ponte Vedra Beach – the home of the US professional tour in north east Florida – had been another steep learning curve.

Eddie said: “It’s eerily similar to what happened last year on a number of occasions. It’s unfortunate that I’ve got to go through those moments of frustration, but out the other side does come, you know, seemingly good stuff.

“I maybe wouldn’t have done that in the past. I wouldn’t have even bothered. I went home, went to sleep, came back, restarted and had a really productive Tuesday evening. Maybe that was the difference.

“But it’s not like I flushed the golf ball this week. If I hit it like that for the rest of the year, then you’ll see me with plenty of snapped clubs.

“It’s a great first experience at this place because I obviously hope I’ll be back here, and to have some really nice memories of what’s happened today – obviously coming back will be nice.”

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