Pepperell wins British Masters

(ANSA) - Rome, October 16 - Eddie Pepperell has won his second European Tour title with a two-shot victory at the British Masters.
    The 27-year-old British player from Oxford dominated the tournament, taking a three-shot lead into the final day at Walton Heath, and closed out the win by carding a level-par 72 to finish on nine under.
    Pepperell closed two shots ahead of Sweden's Alexander Bjork, who carded a one-under-par 71 to finish.
    Victory means Pepperell, who also won the Qatar Masters in February, will make it into the world's top 35 for the first time.
    The British player said he was "over the moon" as winning in front of his public was "truly special".
    As well as a rise in the world rankings, Pepperell's victory will have almost guaranteed him a Masters debut in April 2019.
    The top 50 players at the end of the year qualify for the first major of the year at Augusta.
    Meanwhile, Justin Rose closed in eighth place (285, -3), ahead of Tommy Fleetwood (286, -2). Edoardo Molinari beat brother Francesco and closed in 16th position (287, -1) with Andrea Pavan and ahead of Matteo Manassero, 22nd with 288 (par). After his triumph at the Ryder Cup, Francesco Molinari with 293 (+5) was unable to go beyond 56th place while maintaining his leadership in the Race to Dubai.