EDDIE Pepperell’s hopes of reaching a second major in the space of two months faded in the closing holes at Royal Cinque Ports.

The Abingdon golfer had reached the US Open in June and was in the mix to repeat the feat at final qualifying for The Open Championship.

After opening with a two-over-par 73 in Kent, he stormed up the leaderboard with a blistering start to his second round.

Birdies at the first, third, fourth and an eagle at the fifth moved him into the top-three, which earn a spot at Royal Birkdale.

But four bogeys in six holes around the turn saw the 26-year-old slip out of contention.

He dropped two more shots, signing for a one-over-par 72 to end on three-over for the day.

Pepperell’s Frilford Heath clubmate Olly Huggins finished well down the field at Hollinwell.

The 18-year-old needed something special after shooting a four-over-par first round of 76.

He dug in well to reach two-under for his second round, before slipping back to shoot a 73 and finish five-over in Nottinghamshire.