EDDIE Pepperell admits he is still on cloud nine after his sensational finish at the Players Championship – not least because he did not feel he played that well.

The Abingdon golfer picked up $725,000 after finishing in a tie for third in the prestigious event at Sawgrass, Florida.

A stunning six-under-par final round saw Pepperell in a share of the lead after he had finished, only for Rory McIlroy and Jim Furyk to edge past him in the closing holes.

However, his 14-under tournament saw his stock in world golf rise even higher – especially with a 50-foot putt at the infamous par-three 17th.

“I was pretty excited about that,” he said.

“I said to my caddie when it went in that could be the highlight of my career - I hope I haven’t peaked too soon.”

Pepperell’s superb display was built around some great short play, something which he said gives him great confidence going forward.

However, other aspects of his game left him frustrated.

“There is something about this course that makes me feel extremely comfortable because, honestly, I felt like I swung the club terribly,” he said.

“I kept hitting it right with my three wood which is the club I bank on. I was useless with that.

“I was OK with my driver and my irons I was hitting very well.

“But my feel on the back nine around the greens was incredible.

“Around the greens I felt I could do no wrong – I was on fire. I felt like Seve (Ballesteros) out there.”

“It was an incredible day.”