EDDIE Pepperell will start Sunday's final round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open just one shot off the lead after a strong finish this afternoon.

The Abingdon golfer birdied the final three holes of his third round at Lahinch to card a four-under-par 66.

That took him to 12-under for the tournament and a share of second place, just behind Robert Rock, who shot a remarkable 60.

Pepperell began the day in second place, but lost ground after starting with 11 consecutive pars.

The sequence was broken by a birdie at the 12th.

Another followed at the 14th, but he immediately dropped a shot at the par-four 15th.

Pepperell, who represents Frilford Heath, bounced back strongly, though, with birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th to put him in a great position heading into the final round.