Bickerton stunned by victory

John Bickerton has described winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Malelane yesterday as a “shocker”.

The Englishman was virtually gifted the title by Ernie Els at the Leopard Creek Country Club after the South African blew a two-shot lead on the final hole when he twice found the water.

It was Bickerton’s third European Tour title adding to victories at the 2005 Abama Open de Canarias and the Open de France last year.

But nobody – including the player himself – expected it after he completed his final round in 68 – an overall score of 13 under par and with the world number five two shots ahead with only one hole to play.

After a solid tee shot, Els seemed determined to go for the green, rather than laying up and the decision proved rather costly as he twice missed the pin.

His first attempt sailed right, before a slightly better second bounced of the green before slipping into the water.