EDDIE Pepperell missed the cut at a third consecutive tournament, as he began 2024 in similar fashion to how he ended last year.

At the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Pepperell’s first tournament of 2024, the 33-year-old holed half a dozen bogeys and a single birdie during the opening round, leaving him five-over par.

He then holed a couple each of double bogeys and bogeys, with five birdies bringing him to one-over par in the second round.

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Pepperell also missed the cut at the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open at the end of last year.

The Dubai Desert Classic was won by Rory McIlroy for a record fourth time. The Northern Irish golfer finished 14-under par, one shot ahead of Adrian Meronk.

Frilford Heath member Pepperell is next in action from Thursday at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in the United Arab Emirates.