Eddie Pepperell has taken the lead in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, showcasing a stellar performance in the opening round at Mont Choisy Le Golf in Mauritius.
After losing his DP World Tour card and failing to regain it at Q School (by one stroke), Pepperell is playing this week on a sponsor’s exemption. He quickly justified that invite by birdieing four of his final six holes on Thursday to secure the solo lead.
Eddie Pepperell lost his DP World Tour card last season, then failed to get it back at Q School, but is playing in Mauritius on an invite. He just birdied 4 of his last 6 to take the solo lead after round 1????????????????????????????????
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) December 19, 2024
The Englishman’s score of 66, in what were described as the toughest conditions of the day, places him a single stroke ahead of early clubhouse leader Jacob Skov Olesen, who opened with a 67.
“I am pleased with that. I wasn’t expecting it, I wouldn’t have said,” said Pepperell.
“After bogeying the second hole I was worried it was going to be one of those Thursdays again, a bit like last week in the windy conditions.
“But I turned it around really nicely and played very well, to be honest, on the whole. So I’m very pleased.
“Good finish. I told myself on the 15th ‘just keep your head down, let it happen’. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a position where you’re three, four, five under par at the top of the leaderboard – even on a Thursday.
“So sometimes it can get in your head and it could have done but I just tried to keep my head down, focus and keep doing what I’ve been doing on the range yesterday and today, and it seemed to work.”
Eddie Pepperell reflects on his opening round of the #AfrAsiaBankMauritiusOpen#DP World Tour
— EatandSleepGolf (@EatandSleepGolf) December 19, 2024
