EDDIE Pepperell says his priority will be on building momentum to take into next season rather than the rewards on offer as he takes part in the European Tour’s Final Series.

The Abingdon golfer teed off in the BMW Masters in Shanghai, China, in the early hours of this morning.

Next month he will also play in the Turkish Airlines Open, which is part of a lucrative finish to the year.

Both events have prize funds of £4.3m and restricted fields mean there is no cut, so players have a guaranteed income.

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Pepperell, who represents Frilford Heath, qualified for both tournaments thanks to a storming run of four top-five finishes in August and September.

The 23-year-old is looking to rediscover that form in China as he attempts to finish the year on a high to take into 2015.

He said: “My main focus is trying to play well and reach the level I was at a few weeks back.

“I know if I can do that I’m going to feature at some point.

“I’m not looking at the prize fund.

“Obviously they are a big bonus but I feel I’m seeing past that and all I'm looking at is trying to play really well.”

He added: “I don’t see Abu Dhabi (in January) as a whole new beginning.

“It’s part of a new season but I feel I have generated some momentum and I’m just trying to keep it going, so it rolls into next year.”

The Final Series events culminate in the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai, open only to the Tour’s top 60 players.

Pepperell is 63rd in the rankings, but one good finish should see him qualify for the first time.

Pepperell said: “I suppose I would be disappointed not to qualify in the sense that after my recent run for me not to reach it would mean a regression in performance.

“Having said that, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Dubai is another golf tournament really.

“Being 60th isn’t my goal, you want to be the best.

“I’m not going to hold Dubai in too much of a high regard.

“I just want to play really well in the next two tournaments.”

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