EDDIE Pepperell said that improved driving was the key to his brilliant performance in the US Open.

The 26-year-old from Abingdon came joint 16th at the record long course at Erin Hills to record his best finish in a major championship.

The Frilford Heath golfer, who was the joint second best European performer behind fourth-placed Tommy Fleetwood, also pocketed his highest ever prize money of about 150,000 US dollars.

This cash counts towards his European PGA Tour money list and has lifted him more 89 places to 71st after a slow start to the season.

This will go a long way to retaining his card, following a disastrous year in 2016, when he had to return to the qualifying school to stay on the Tour.

After shooting a one-under par 71 to finish on a five-under overall total of 283, Pepperell said: “The most pleasing thing for me this week was my consistency off the tee.

“Driving was a strength this week and that is such a change from three months ago when I was scared of the driver.

“I hung in there well and didn’t make a double bogey, which is something I’m proud of.

“I’ve come a long way since losing my card in Portugal at the end of last season.”

After opening rounds of 72 and 71, Pepperell displayed some terrific golf on Saturday to card a three-under-par 69.

Playing alongside Masters champion Sergio Garcia on the final day, the world No 458 got off to a flying start with a birdie at the opening hole. Pepperell then birdied the par-three sixth, but bogeys at the eighth, ninth and tenth saw him drop back to three-under.

However, he got back on track with a birdie at the par-three 13th.

A par at the 14th followed, before another birdie at the 15th saw him return to five-under.

Watched by dad Ron and brother Joe, Pepperell parred the final two holes to finish a shot clear of Garcia, who congratulated him on the final green. American Brooks Koepka won the event with 16-under.