Bickerton feeling good

England’s John Bickerton has revealed that a flash of inspiration on the putting green contributed to his holding the lead after the first round of the French Open.

Bickerton, who won his maiden European Tour title last October, fell just one short of the course record at Le Golf National but is eight-under-par 63 was good enough to give him a two-stroke lead over 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.