EDDIE Pepperell produced a sensational opening nine holes to storm up the leaderboard in the Arnold Palmer Invitational event in Florida.

The Abingdon golfer, who started at the tenth on his second round, hit five birdies before the turn on the way to a fine four-under-par 67.

It will comfortably secure his place in the latter stages of the star-studded event at Bay Hill.

After a dropped shot at the 18th hole in his opening round saw Pepperell fall back to level-par, he came out all guns blazing today.

Eddie Pepperell's level-par opening round

A birdie at his third was followed by another two holes later.

He then picked up three further shots in consecutive holes – his seventh, eighth and ninth – and was fourth in the standings when making the turn.

His progress was halted by a bogey at his 12th, but this was soon forgotten when he sunk a ten-foot birdie putt two holes later.

Pepperell did well to save par on the next hole after finding a bunker on his approach.

He was unable to avoid dropping the shot on his penultimate hole, but his superb opening means he is still in contention.