EDDIE Pepperell is optimistic 2017 can become his best year so far after climbing a steep learning curve just to stay on the European Tour, writes DAVID PRITCHARD.

The Frilford Heath member starts the new campaign tomorrow at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, teeing up with renewed confidence.

A run of nine missed cuts in a dozen tournaments up to the Italian Open in September led to Pepperell, from Abingdon, finishing outside the top 110 in the European Tour rankings for 2016.

After admitting to feeling “lost” during the slump, he went back to basics in the final weeks of the season.

While it just failed to retain the card, the late-season upturn in form allowed Pepperell to string six successive rounds under par at qualifying school last week to recapture a place on Tour.

He said: “I don’t think I needed to lose my card to learn the lessons I have learned.

“Any time you go through Q School it’s a humbling experience, which is always a good thing.

“I feel I have learned a lot from the Italian Open onwards.

“If I keep doing what I’m doing – which is a big if in golf – for a year I think 2017 will be by far the best I year I’ve had.

“I’m playing consistently tee to green. My putting can be hot and cold, but it’s never cold for a year.”

Pepperell also started the 2016 season at the event in Leopard Creek, finishing joint eighth, and just like 12 months ago he will again have girlfriend Jen Rhodes on the bag.