BARRY
Eddie in front but he’s not chasing Ryder Cup glory or US riches
off winning the £500,000 first prize tomorrow and climbing further up the rankings. And unlike Wallace, the world No.50 claimed he had not pined to be in Paris.
“Not when I was handfuls deep in Thornton’s chocolates,” he said. “I was quite happy where I was.
And I wasn’t feeling very well, so I was just on the sofa all week.
“I love watching the Ryder Cup. I always feel if I’m not there then I get to watch some TV, and if I’m there, I have to be stressed for a few days.
“Of course I would like to be part of it. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, then I’m pretty happy doing what I’m doing.” Pepperell, who does not have a hat sponsor, was left chocolate by tournament host Justin Rose after his broad hints earlier this week.
“The same hasn’t happened with Ann Summers yet,” he joked. The Oxford star said he had watched his bizarre first-round hole-in-one “about a thousand times” – and he will still be seen in Europe next season after his 69 in the Walton Heath wind yesterday.
“I’m not interested in playing in America in a full-time capacity,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to leave my dog behind.”