EDDIE Pepperell admits to having no idea how he will feel when he stands on the tee for his Masters debut tomorrow, writes David Pritchard.

The normally laid back golfer from Abingdon takes most things in his stride, but a first trip to Augusta might just be different.

Qualifying for the event, which completes the 28-year-old’s set of appearances at golf’s four majors, was the big highlight of finishing last season inside the world’s top 50 players.

Pepperell has warmed up for it with a series of high-profile tournaments in North America in recent weeks, including a share of third place in The Players Championship at Sawgrass.

And while the Frilford Heath golfer’s expectations in Georgia are relatively low, the tournament’s stature means this is no ordinary week.

“It will be interesting to see how nervous I feel on the Thursday,” he said.

“I didn’t really feel it at Sawgrass – the nerves I felt were in (previous events in) Mexico and Bay Hill.

“That was I guess just a sense of apprehension because it was a whole new environment.

“I think I’m over that a bit, so I’m interested to see what happens at Augusta.

“The magnitude of the event might hit me.

“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the back nine, almost every hole is pretty iconic.

“It will be great to get a feel of the atmosphere.”

Augusta is seen as a course where experience counts – Fuzzy Zoeller, in 1979, is the only rookie to win in the last eight decades.

Pepperell, who got his first sight of the course on Monday, acknowledges he faces a steep learning curve.

But he does have a vastly experienced caddie in Mick Doran, who knows the course well having worked with Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari among others in the past.

Pepperell said: “It’s probably a disadvantage to be a rookie at Augusta, more so than at any other event, I think you could argue.

“People talk about how much experience counts, but I’ve got a caddie who has been there a number of times.

“It should be fairly obvious where you don’t want to go, but I guess you only truly figure it out once you hit it there.”

Before the main event, the Oxfordshire golfer will take part in the traditional Par 3 contest.

Players often choose family members to carry their bag – and get the chance to play a shot at the final hole.

Pepperell’s brother Joe, head professional at Oxford Golf Club, will have the honour.

Famously no winner of the Wednesday event has gone on to triumph in the main tournament, but that is not putting Pepperell off.

“No, I do want to win it,” he joked. “A few years ago I won the British Par 3 Championship, so I want to unify the belts.

“If Joe hits the shot on to the ninth and we still win I’ll joke not only have we unified the belts, but we’re like the Klitschko brothers.

“Hopefully it will be on TV, especially if Joe thins it and takes out a patron sat behind the green.

“That would be quite amusing.”