EDDIE Pepperell returned after a month out with injury to shoot a four-under-par 68 in the first round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
The Abingdon golfer pulled out of the PGA European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open a fortnight ago to rest his back after suffering a slipped disc.
But Pepperell showed no lack of sharpness as he fired five birdies, his only bogey coming at the last hole.
The 24-year-old stands joint ninth – four shots behind the leader, Sergio Garcia, who carded a scintillating eight-under-par round of 64.
The Spaniard holds a one-shot lead over Korean, Byeong Hun An, and Victor Dubuisson, of France.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here