EDDIE Pepperell will go back to basics during the next fortnight as he attempts to avoid losing his place on the European Tour.

The Abingdon golfer admits he has felt “lost” on course in recent weeks during a run of form which has seen eight missed cuts in 11 events.

It has cast doubt on whether Pepperell will maintain his place on the elite circuit for 2017.

Only the top 110 on the money list qualify for most of the events – and the 25-year-old has sunk to 109th.

Pepperell has not had such trouble at this stage in his other three seasons on Tour, but with only three tournaments left on his schedule he knows it is make-or-break for his hopes.

“I have never been so frustrated or lost,” he said.

“Two years ago I was probably playing worse than I am now, but I’m far more lost now – more than at any point in my career.

“I haven’t been sleeping well because I’ve been worrying about shots.

“But at the same time it’s golf and that’s how difficult it is.

“It’s not something I’m scared of – and it’s up to me to beat it.”

He added: “If I miss the next three cuts I’m going to Qualifying School. I know need a good result.”

In an attempt to reverse the slide, Pepperell has pulled out of this week’s Porsche European Open in Germany.

It frees up a block of two weeks before the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to practise at Frilford Heath and Drayton Park.

The main area of focus will be on his tee shots, which have been the source of much of his trouble.

Pepperell did the same thing after a poor start to 2014 with success and is banking on it working again.

He said: “I’m going back to what’s worked for me in the past because I need to have trust and some familiar feelings.

“It’s a shame I have let my game get into this position, but it’s something hopefully I can learn from.

“I’m in a position where I need to go and make it happen.

“These things can turn around very quickly.”