Eddie Pepperell posted a final-round 72 to capture his second European Tour title of the season at the Sky Sports British Masters.
The Englishman, who entered his fourth day at Walton Heath Golf Club with a three-shot lead, signed for a scorecard consisting of three bogeys offset by a birdie and a hole-out eagle (on No. 10) en route to a four-day score of 9-under par, two clear of runner-up Alexander Bjork (71).
“It’s brilliant,” said Pepperell. “I said yesterday I wouldn’t know how it felt being in the lead at this event as opposed to another one but now that I’ve won it, it does feel special.
“The crowds are great, I’ve had some great local support around a beautiful golf course – one I’ve played a lot as a junior and an amateur – so to come and win this event is really special.
“It was such a tough day with the conditions. I didn’t swing it very well from the get-go and it was really hard then to find it. It was an absolute grind for four or five hours. It just shows how important it is to build a lead when things are going well for you.
“I’m delighted to go wire-to-wire, especially at this event, I’m over the moon.”
Australian Lucas Herbert and England’s Jordan Smith were at 5 under, a shot clear of two more Englishmen in Sam Horsfield and Tom Lewis, and American Julian Suri.
Tournament host Justin Rose rounded off his week with a 70 to finish at 3 under and secure a another top-10 finish.
The win was Pepperell’s second of the year (Qatar Masters), and marked his sixth top 10 finish in his nine most recent starts. He also becomes the Tour’s first wire-to-wire winner since Matt Wallace at the 2017 Open de Portugal.
SKY SPORTS BRITISH MASTERS
FINAL TOP 5
Pos-Player-To Par (Today)
1. Eddie Pepperell -9 (E)
2. Alexander Bjork -7 (-1)
3. Lucas Herbert -5 (-3)
3. Jordan Smith -5 (+1)
5. Sam Horsfield -4 (-3)
5. Tom Lewis -4 (-2)
5. Julian Suri -4 (+2)
PEPPERELL BY THE NUMBERS
Through 72 holes
DRIVING: 288.4 (63rd)
FAIRWAYS: 63.3%, 38/60 (16th)
GREENS: 63.9%, 46/72 (53rd)
PUTTS/GIR: 1.738 (6th)
SCORING: 4 Eagles, 10 Birdies, 49 Pars, 9 Bogeys
VIDEO: PEPPERELL IS “VERY PLEASED”
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