British Masters 2021 R3
May 12-15
The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, England
£1,850,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Eddie Pepperell birdied the 18th to take a one shot lead at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett. He signed for a 68 to move to 10-under.

British Masters 2021 R3

"It was pretty quick, downhill, left to right (the birdie putt on the last). I had a great feel from long range today and I trusted that. It was one of those putts. I holed a great one on 14. I've been using a device for my putting called a Capto, which has been really about acceleration in the stroke. I use it a lot from 40 ft, so what I've did well today, and indeed this week, has been about trusting the feel I get from it. I'm hoping to see it carry over a bit to mid range, but long putts have been fantastic."

Pepperell won the event in 2018 and went on to a career best 14th on the Race to Dubai. Since then he has fallen outside the top 50 and has found his golf difficult at times.

British Masters 2021 R3

"I think (confidence returns) quite quickly, although I've been awful to be honest so I don't feel that confident. I've still got things going on in the swing that I can feel aren't where they once were and can cause me aggro, so the game still feels difficult. I remember the game feeling easier when I was playing better a few years ago. That's what I'm trying to get back to, and I'm confident I will. I'm having to put some really strong feels to hit good golf shots. Obviously there are times when that is easer to achieve than others. There were times out there today I didn't get it and times when I did."

"I feel good, I feel really calm. Quite enjoying generally hitting better shots, having a good time on the course. I'm very much still in the process. I recall 2018 was a lot like that for me and I think that was part of the reason why I had some success. Every round was very process driven, and I know it can sound cliched sometimes, but just being in your own mind on every shot, trying to accomplish what you are trying to accomplish - whether it is a shot or a putt - that goes a long way and that will be the key for me tomorrow. I do feel calm and we'll see what comes out. I'm quietly excited but we'll see."

British Masters 2021 R3

One shot behind Pepperell is a group of six players including Edoardo Molinari who started the day six shots off the lead and carded the lowest round of the week with a 64.

"I think I finally made some putts today," said Molinari. "I have been hitting the ball like this for a few weeks, even a few months to be honest, but I couldn’t make a putt. But today, on the front nine I putted really well and on the back nine the putter went cold again, but to go a few under on the back nine is obviously a good score."

British Masters 2021 R3

"On Tuesday I just had a putting lesson off Andy Paisley, which is Chris Paisley’s brother, and I didn’t put great the first two days but I had better feelings overall, and today was definitely better. I know what I need to work on but sometimes when you see a new guy he says the same things differently and it is definitely a better week on the greens. Still not great but the way I am hitting the ball, if I can manage to not lose strokes on the green,I think I will be up there."

"There are a lot of pins on the edges onthe front. Obviously eight and 18 have been moved back, eight makes for a massive difference, for example I cannot carry the bunkers so I hit three wood, four wood this morning. 18 I think is a little bit easier from the back tee because you can hit driver and you know that even if you miss it right, it is never going to go in the bunker, at least guys my length. So I think 18 all in all is easier, it is a fun pinas well, but with no wind today there will be a few good scores in the afternoon."

British Masters 2021 R3