Bickerton takes title at 287th attempt

ENGLAND'S John Bickerton saved his European Tour career in the best possible fashion yesterday, winning his first title at the 287th attempt.

The 35-year-old from Droitwich, five times a runner-up, took the Abama Canaries Open in Tenerife by five strokes from left-hander Stuart Little and South African Michael Kirk.

Bickerton went into the week 118th on the Order of Merit and needing a top-five finish to remove any worries about losing his card and being forced back to the qualifying school. But, after missing the halfway cut in six of his last nine starts, the midlands golfer lifted the £51,104 first prize with a closing 68 and 10-under-par total of 274.