EDDIE Pepperell returns to action on the European Tour today at the BMW South African Open.

The Abingdon golfer is in the field at Glendower, near Johannesburg, where Rory McIlroy is the star attraction.

A good start to the year is extra important for Pepperell, who needed to come through Qualifying School to secure his card for 2017.

As a result, the Frilford Heath member has a ranking which will see him struggle to get into the events in the Middle East later this month, so he needs to make the most of his appearances on Tour.

Pepperell tees off at 10am (GMT) with Swede Christofer Blomstrand and Marc Cayeux, from Zimbabwe.