Fan favourite Eddie Pepperell re-earns DP World Tour card via a clutch closing stretch; Aussie Connor McKinney secures his card

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[Photo: Valerio Pennicino]

Back in the pre-COVID halcyon days – long before the likes of Jessica Hadwin and Michael Kim took up the baton – Eddie Pepperell was a Golf Twitter star. Unfortunately, as the pandemic came and went, so did Pepperell’s game, and the Englishman eventually lost his DP World Tour card. In 2024, he failed to regain his status by mere inches, experiencing one of the most gut-wrenching scenarios a professional golfer can.

RELATED: Eddie Pepperell reveals shocking pace of play fines on DP World Tour

Through 14 holes at DP World Tour Q-School Final Qualifying yesterday, things looked to be headed in a similar direction for Pepperell. He was three shots outside the number with four holes to play… but then something miraculous happened. Pepperell caught fire, birdieing his way into the clubhouse to leap into the top 10 and put himself in position to reclaim his DP World Tour card.

After his round, an emotional Pepperrell said the entire week felt like a struggle until the moment it mattered most.

Better late than never, Eddie!

Pepperell’s extensive experience at golf’s top level surely helped him down the stretch in Tarragona, Spain, where this week’s final qualifying was held. Pepperell played on the DP World Tour for 12 years, winning twice. He also finished T-3 at the 2019 Players Championship in what looked like a sign of things to come for the wise-cracking Englishman. That promise didn’t exactly materialise, but thanks to his fourth-quarter heroics on Wednesday, he’ll now get another shot. Here’s hoping he sticks it this time, because golf could use more characters like Eddie Pepperell.

Here’s the full list of players who earned cards, noting that Aussie Connor McKinney is among them – using an opening 62 to propel himself onto the DP World Tour for the new season.