EDDIE Pepperell enjoyed a superb start to the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily yesterday.

The Frilford Heath golfer shot a four-under-par round of 67 to finish the opening round of the European Tour event tied in 32nd place.

Pepperell, who has only made one cut so far this season, got off to the best-possible start with a birdie at the opening par four.

He picked up another shot at the fifth before an eventful four holes at the start of the back nine.

The Abingdon man dropped a shot at the 11th, but instantly hit back with a superb eagle at the par-five 12th.

Another birdie followed at the 13th, but his climb up the leaderboard was halted by a bogey five at the next.

However, he held his nerve with two pars, before another birdie on the 17th saw him move to four-under.

Pepperell was clearly delighted with his display, tweeting: “I’ll be honest fellow Tweeps, that’s probably the best I’ve ever hit the ball in a round of golf.”

He tees off at 12.30 today in his second round again partnering former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth and France’s Joel Stalter.