EDDIE Pepperell was caught out on the wrong side of the draw at the ISPS Handa UK Championship.

The Abingdon golfer endured a four-hour interruption after heavy rain flooded parts of The Belfry.

And he will have to complete his first round on Friday morning, resuming on the 14th on three-over par, before heading out for the next 18 holes.

While the early starters were able to complete their day’s work before the deluge arrived, Pepperell, who teed off alongside Lee Westwood and Andy Sullivan, had completed just seven holes when play was suspended.

The Abingdon golfer was two-over for the tournament, following dropped shots at the par five third and par three seventh.

After several inspections, conditions improved enough for the European Tour to restart the tournament at 6.15pm.

Pepperell immediately dropped shots at the eighth and ninth.

An eventful run continued as he started the back nine birdie-bogey-birdie to be three-over for his round.

The group will return for the last five holes this morning.

South African Justin Walters leads the way, having made the most of better conditions in the morning to card an eight-under 64.

Ross Fisher, who is four shots back despite a double bogey at the last as the torrential rain began, was thankful he was among the early starters.

He said: “It’s playing so tough.

“I’m very thankful that we only had to play a hole and a bit in it.”