Eddie Pepperell believes the experience of playing in the US Open two years ago will be useful when he tees up in the US PGA Championship tomorrow, writes David Pritchard.

The Abingdon golfer begins his challenge at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, at 8.40pm (BST) alongside American pair Kevin Na and Sean Dougherty.

It is the second Major in a row for Pepperell, who finished joint 49th at The Open last month.

The 24-year-old will take confidence from briefly leading at St Andrews, but also thinks the knowledge of his Major debut, at Merion in 2013, is useful in terms of where he needs to focus in the build-up.

He said: “I think it will help me.

“The course will be different but normally when I go to the US the greens are quite fast.

“That’s the part of the game which I’m expecting to be challenging, but I’m a much better putter than I was two years ago and that will be the bulk of my preparation.”

Pepperell spent time at Frilford Heath before crossing the Atlantic, in an effort to fine tune his game.

He said: “It’s three or four weeks since I teed up in a competition so I’ve been playing quite a lot.

“I feel my game is in a really good shape, so I don’t want to over-practise – it’s been more about playing and getting used to the feel of making birdies.”

l Nick Elmey was runner-up in a high-class field for the Frilford Heath Junior Gold Medal.

On his home course, Elmey was one of three players to card one-under-par opening rounds of 71.

He followed it up with a 70 to finish on 141, but lost out by two shots to Tom Cleaton (Rugby GC), who took the medal, thanks to a second round 68.

Fellow Frilford Heath players Olly Huggins (145) and Josh Davies (146) also fared well.