EDDIE Pepperell continued his good week by making an excellent start at the Nordea Masters in Sweden.

Fresh from success at US Open qualifying on Monday, the Abingdon golfer carded a 70 to end the first round on three-under-par.

After opening with six successive pars, a birdie at the seventh hole saw the 26-year-old reach the turn one-under at Barseback, near Malmo.

Further shots were gained on the 11th, 12th and 16th to get within one shot of Italian Renato Paratore's lead. 

A bogey at the par-four 17th saw him slip back slightly, but the round puts Pepperell in good shape to make only his third cut of the season on the European Tour.

He is in the last group out for the second round, teeing off at 1.30pm (BST) on Friday.