EDDIE Pepperell’s return to action on the European Tour is likely to be brief after a ragged first round.

The Frilford Heath golfer, back after seven weeks off following victory at the Qatar Masters, carded a five-over-par 77 at the Spanish Open.

It left Pepperell needing a miracle to make the cut when he tees off for the second round on Friday at 7.55am (BST).

The 27-year-old bounced back from a bogey at the first hole with birdies at the fourth and fifth.

But from then on he went backwards, as dropped shots at the eighth, tenth, 14th and 17th were followed by a double-bogey at the last.

Playing partner Paul Dunne was co-leader on six-under.