EDDIE Pepperell is relishing the chance to play in front of big galleries as he tees off in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The event is one of the highlights on the European Tour calendar and is typically well backed by the spectators.

It is very welcome for Abingdon’s Pepperell, who enjoys playing in front of large crowds and will again be followed by dozens of local supporters, known as the Pepper Army.

He said: “There will be a lot of fans there which makes a big difference.

“I find it hard to get up for the events where there isn’t much of a crowd.

“Maybe I feed a little more off the crowd than I would like but I tend to react quite well when there are (big crowds).

“I think there’s quite a few people going from Oxfordshire, hopefully I can give them something to cheer about over the weekend."

Anyone supporting the Frilford Heath golfer will have to make an early start to see him tee off at 7.20, alongside Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Benjamin Hebert, from France.

Pepperell comes into the event in form after finishing joint eighth in the Irish Open on Sunday.

And the 25-year-old takes comfort from his record at Wentworth, which includes a sixth place finish in 2013.

He said: “I always enjoy going there.

“I’ve still got to play well but I think it tends to suit my game a bit more because you are hitting a lot of irons off tees.”