EDDIE Pepperell will be hoping to maintain his superb run of form when he competes in the Italian Open, which starts today at Milan.

Four top-seven finishes in his last five outings have lifted the Abingdon professional from outside the top 100 to 49th place in the European Tour money list and a virtual guaranteed spot in the end-of season Dubai World Championship.

The Frilford Heath member, who was tied seventh at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week, goes out in the final afternoon grouping with former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon.