Eddie Pepperell relishing chance to defend British Masters title
Wednesday 8 May 2019 13:33, UK
Eddie Pepperell admits he is feeling "quietly confident" ahead of his first chance to defend a European Tour title at the British Masters.
Pepperell competed in the Arnold Palmer Invitational instead of trying to retain his Qatar Masters title in March but has made the trip to Hillside to try and replicate last year's win at Walton Heath.
The world No 37 has taken the last two weeks off after five appearances in a busy seven-week stretch on the PGA Tour, with Pepperell hopeful of impressing on his return to action in Europe.
"I don't know what to expect from my game," Pepperell said. "I know there's a bit of weakness at the moment in there somewhere but I feel like around this course, with the conditions, I can skirt my way around that and manage to shoot four good scores.
"This week I'm quietly confident I guess you could say, but I don't feel like I've played well at all this year. I haven't swung the club as well as I have last year and the year before that.
"To have done what I've been able to do so far over the span of a year, I've made the most of it and that's a positive. If I can find some form swinging like that, then I'm pretty confident I'll come out this year better than last."
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Pepperell makes his first appearance on home soil since his British Masters victory last October, with a tied-third finish on his Players Championship debut in March the highlight of his season so far.
"It was a good experience to be out there but I was more than ready to get home," Pepperell added. "My body was a bit beaten up from the travel.
"I'm looking forward to the week and I've got a good draw playing with Tommy (Fleetwood) and Stephen Gallacher. I'm curious to see how I feel, but I'm expecting to feel quite relaxed."
Watch the British Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 10.30am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
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