EDDIE Pepperell will play in the US Open next month after playing superbly in qualifying at Walton Heath.

The golfer, from Abingdon, finished in a share of fifth place on 11-under-par in the 36-hole competition to claim one of 15 spots at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, on June 15.

Pepperell’s achievement matched his effort from 2013, when he qualified for Merion.

And the Frilford Heath member felt a clear sense of déjà vu in the closing two holes.

He said: “I remember four years ago putting into a bunker on the 17th and dropping a shot, then I went to the last and hit it to 15 feet, where I holed the putt to qualify.

“This time I bogeyed the 17th and then had a 25-footer at the last.

“I said to my caddy ‘this is just the same’ and I holed it again.

“It’s amazing . . . the last time I was on that green I made a putt to reach the US Open and it happened again.”

Pepperell has made only two cuts on the European Tour this season, but after dropping a shot at his first hole he hardly looked back.

A five-under-par 67 was followed by a 66 to ensure he heads into the Nordea Masters in Sweden tomorrow full of confidence.