EDDIE Pepperell put a nightmare start behind him to shoot three-under par at the Golf in Dubai Championship.

Playing alongside fellow Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Callum Shinkwin, the Abingdon golfer began with a double-bogey six at the par-five tenth.

The Frilford Heath member quickly put that behind him with birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th, although he dropped a shot at the 15th.

Pepperell recorded two more birdies either side of the turn, before he picked up another shot at the fifth.

He tees off for his second round at 7.50am GMT today.

Pepperell will look to improve on a horror final round at last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, where he carded nine-over par and 11-over for the tournament.