Eddie Pepperell sets sights on Augusta glory after breaking into world's top 40

Eighteen months ago, Eddie Pepperell admitted he had lost his love for golf. Now he has his sights on Masters glory after winning the British Masters.

The 27-year-old has earned a first appearance at Augusta in April as a result of victory at Walton Heath and a half-a-million-pound payday which also moved him into the world’s top 40. It is in stark contrast to May last year, when he professed to “having fallen out of love with golf” and was ranked 523rd.

Of the prospect of playing at the first major of 2019, he said: “It’s always been a dream. Going to Augusta with Mick [Doran, his caddie] — that’s been Mick’s goal and to get me into the top 50. He feels very proud about that.”

The partnership with Doran, a former caddie to the likes of Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari, has paved the way for an astonishing reversal in fortunes for Pepperell.

He bagged his first European Tour win in February and now has his second. In addition, he finished sixth at this year’s Open, suggesting he can be a contender at subsequent Majors.

“I’ve felt very comfortable being in contention this year,” said Pepperell. “To get over the line is very special and sets things up very nicely for an end-of-season run. Things are looking good.”

Looking ahead to 2019, he added: “It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to go out to America and play a few more majors and WGCs [World Golf Championships]. I haven’t got my head around that, but I intend to.”

Pepperell’s celebrations after holding off a final-day challenge from Sweden’s Alexander Bjork, who ended up two strokes off the lead, centred on drinking a bottle of red wine bought for him by tournament host Justin Rose after an opening-day hole in one, as well as cuddling his pet dog, Gus.

After being handed the winner’s trophy, he said: “I joked [to Rose] I wish I had been confident enough to bring the bottle of wine. We could have opened it together but I’ll definitely open it tonight.”