Eddie Pepperell prefers not to spend much time at tournament

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Eddie Pepperell, of England, watches the flight of his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Eddie Pepperell makes his Masters debut this year, and he looks forward to seeing Augusta National so much that he plans to see it for the first time on Sunday, four days before it begins.

That's early for him.

"I don't like being at golf tournaments too long," said the 28-year-old from England. "In fact, I hate being at golf tournaments too long. I like to get in on a Tuesday."

He played Bay Hill for the first time and had nine holes of practice. He never saw the front nine until the opening round. He played one practice round ahead of the British Open last summer, though he has played Carnoustie plenty during the Dunhill Links.

He made his U.S. Open debut in 2017 at Erin Hills and played nine holes in practice and tied for 16th.

There is a method to what others might consider madness.

"Historically, whenever I've been at courses a long time, come Thursday I can be de-motivated," Pepperell said. "I don't want to work my (tail) off too hard on Monday through Wednesday. That represents you're lost. I don't want to be lost. That always represented a sign of struggle for me."

Pepperell is more interested in being technically sound.

"Most courses are in front of you, require good shot-making and skill," he said. "It doesn't matter how well I know a golf course. If I'm struggling with technique, I ain't going to go out there and beat these guys."

Or perhaps there's another reason.

"Maybe," he said with a smile, "people have just got more energy than me."