EDDIE Pepperell faces a battle today to avoid missing the cut for the second successive event on the European Tour.

The 25-year-old, from Abingdon, carded a five-over-par 77 in the first round at the Nordea Masters in Sweden.

He birdied the two shortest holes on the course at Bro Hof Slott, but bogeyed seven holes, including four between the eighth and 13th.

The Frilford Heath golfer is ten shots off a six-way tie for the lead, which includes England’s Andrew Johnston.

Pepperell, who did not qualify for the final two rounds at Wentworth a week ago, starts his second round on the tenth hole at 8.20am today.