GIRONA, May 15, 2014 (AFP) - The Englishman finished a shot ahead of a group of eight players, including pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia and fellow Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Another eight players were a shot further back on two under, including Ryder Cup hopeful Joost Luiten and former Open Champion Paul Lawrie, who was making his first appearance since the end of January after back and neck problems.
Leading Spanish Open first round results at the par-72 PGA Catalunya Resort course on Thursday (GBR&IRL unless stated):
68 - Eddie Pepperell
69 - Robert Jan Derksen (NED), Richie Ramsay, Jose-Filipe Lima (POR), Peter Uihlein (USA), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP), Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP), Thomas Pieters (BEL)
70 - Ross Fisher, Joost Luiten (NED), Jordi Garcia Pinto (ESP), Danny Willett, Jbe Kruger (RSA), Paul Lawrie, Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR), Victor Riu (FRA)
71 - Jeev Milkha Singh (IND), Roope Kakko (FIN), Hennie Otto (RSA), Jorge Campillo (ESP), Ricardo Santos (POR), Daan Huizing (NED), Kenneth Ferrie, James Morrison, Graeme Storm, Alexander Noren (SWE), Ivo Giner (ESP), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Gregory Havret (FRA)
Selected
72 - Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), Alejandro Canizares (ESP)
73 - Francesco Molinari (ITA), Edoardo Molinari (ITA)
74 - Matteo Manassero (ITA)
75 - Thomas Bjorn (DEN)