EDDIE Pepperell has ground to make up tomorrow if he is to make the cut at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The Frilford Heath golfer shot a one-under-par 71 in the opening round at the Emirates Golf Club.

With play still continuing, the score was only good enough for a share of 81st place.

Starting at the tenth, Pepperell birdied the 12th and 18th to reach the turn in a solid two-under.

But he slipped back to level par with dropped shots at the second and fourth.

A birdie at the fifth got him back in the red figures, but a run of four pars to finish left him needing to climb the leaderboard on Friday to qualify for the weekend.

As one of the late starters, teeing off at 7.10am (GMT) he will know what is required.