EDDIE Pepperell is targeting a push up the rankings to qualify for the Dubai World Tour Championship after his highest European Tour finish for two years.

The Abingdon golfer carded a four-under-par 68 in the final round to claim a share of fifth place at the D+D Real Czech Masters.

It continued an encouraging run of form, which has seen him make the cut in seven of his last nine events.

The displays mean Pepperell is in good shape to secure his card for the 2018 season, without the need to repeat the trip to Qualifying School he made last winter.

Even if the 26-year-old drops out of the top 100 in the rankings, his earnings this year would almost certainly claim one of ten cards available on the back-up ‘Access List’.

The ranking excludes money earned at the most lucrative tournaments on tour which have restricted entry criteria.

But he is instead looking up and targeting a climb from 89th into the top 60, who qualify for the season finale.

Pepperell, who played in the glittering event in 2014 and 2015, said: “My aim now is getting into Dubai.

“I know I’m good enough, I just want to get the playing opportunities and keep doing what I’m doing.

“If I do, I think I will be there.

“In the Czech Republic I wasn’t on top of my game, but I putted nicely all week.”

The finish in Prague was built on a bogey-free weekend, which was something Pepperell had not achieved before.

It was also the Frilford Heath member’s first top-five on tour since the 2015 KLM Open in the Netherlands.

“That’s pretty sad actually, isn’t it,” he said.

“That’s a long time. Last year was a bad one and this year was a bad one until May.

“I’m hoping things are turning.

“Normally if you go 18 holes without a bogey it’s something you are really pleased about because it shows your game is in good shape.

“To do it over a whole weekend is doubly pleasing.”

The result qualified him for the European Masters in Switzerland, which starts today.

But Pepperell has opted to skip an event in which he has never played well to rest up ahead of a busy autumn.

He is back in action at the KLM Open next week.