Eddie Pepperell will sacrifice a potential Walker Cup place by turning professional in April.

The 20-year-old Drayton Park member revealed his plans in the wake of his Portuguese Amateur Championship victory at Montado.

Pepperell was named in Great Britain and Ireland’s 23-man training squad for September’s match against USA at Royal Aberdeen.

But he will ruled himself out of appearing in the ‘amateur Ryder Cup’ by prioritising his long-term future.

“I spoke to a lot of people about the Walker Cup,” said Pepperell. “It is a great event.

“But for me to achieve my goal of gaining a European Tour card at the end of the year, I have got to give myself the best opportunity.

“I believe that is by turning pro sooner rather than later and earning enough points. I am confident I can do that.”

Pepperell, from Abingdon, expects to play Challenge Tour events intially, but has not yet confirmed his schedule.

He said: “I plan to turn pro in April.

“I have been talking to a couple of management companies and seeing what they can offer. Everything is in place now.

“I feel completely ready to go into the professional ranks.”

Pepperell sunk a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole to land the Portuguese Amateur, finishing the rain-shortened three-round event on seven-under-par 209.

This placed him one shot ahead of France’s Jean-Pierre Verselin, who looked to have taken the title with a final round of 67 – five-under-par.

Pepperell, who closed with a level-par 72, seemed out of it with three holes to play.

However, he birdied the 16th, while that superb putt on 18 secured a fine win.

Pepperell led by two shots at halfway after rounds of 68 and 69 from Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire), who finished sixth, and Andrew Cooley (Chobham).

Pepperell said: “It was a good finish and a good week.

“I played pretty well for two days and didn’t play that well on the final day. It was a grind.

“Unfortunately, my putter wasn’t very good all week, but my putt on the last kind of made up for a few missed ones.”

Pepperell, who has worked hard on his mental game and practice, will look to continue his good form in the Spanish Amateur at RCG El Prat.