Sergeant Pepperell on march

European Tour victory. The world

No.152 said: “To get that win would be massive and to do it here with Justin Rose – one of my idols – hosting it, it would be awesome.”

Pepperell, Smith and Matt Wallace played together in an all-English final group. The overnight leader was level par after 10 holes before draining a

14-foot eagle putt on 11 – only for his two playing partners to also play the par-five in three shots.

“That was unusual,” said the Oxford star.

Londoner Wallace, who has won three times this season, bogeyed the first hole and slipped down to tied sixth with his 73.

“Matt didn’t speak to us much today,” said Pepperell. “Matt was not his happy and usual self.”

Wallace, 27, was outside the world’s top 500 in May last year but victory today would see him break into the top

35 and probably guarantee his first invite to the Masters.

And Pepperell said he will call on the experience of his first European Tour win in February to triumph on home soil.

He added: “I remember feeling really comfortable with the lead in Qatar. Same in Scotland when I finished second.

“I felt very comfortable when I got into the lead.

“I didn’t see any shots that frightened me. It’s about time I kicked on and won another event.”