Eddie Pepperell’s preparations for his debut in next week’s Open Championship began with a level-par round of 70 in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane yesterday.

The Abingdon professional made a perfect start when he eagled the par-five second hole.

But he later dropped three shots and needed a birdie three at the last to finish level.

That put him seven shots behind the first-round leader Thorbjorn Olleson, who fired a 63.

That superb round put the Dane two clear of a big group that includes leading American Jimmy Walker.

A shot further behind are Justin Rose, Ricky Fowler and Graeme McDowell.