Eddie Pepperell climbed to third in the PING/English Golf Union Order of Merit table after finishing ninth in the Lytham Trophy.

The 17-year-old Drayton Park member carded a four-round total of 290 to finish six shots behind winner Matthew Haines.

Pepperell's top-ten finish also took him into the top 100 in the world amateur rankings for the first time at No 74.

He is now ranked above all, but two of the England team selected for this weekened's international against France at Frilford Heath.

Lytham trophy runner-up Dale Whitnell, 19, and Haines, 18, are ranked No 1 and 2 in the Order of Merit table.

It can only be a matter of time, therefore, before Pepperell joins them as full England internationals, while next year's Walker Cup is definitely in range.

Having reached the world top 400 in March, Pepperell said: "I want to break into the top 200 in the world rankings, that's my biggest aim."

He is clearly aiming higher now.