Flying start for Bickerton

England’s John Bickerton, whose third European Tour victory in December came courtesy of an amazing collapse by Ernie Els, was among the early leaders in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.

The 38-year-old Midlander, handed the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa when Els twice went in the water on the final hole and ran up a triple bogey eight, stood four-under after a superb burst around the turn.

Level par after eight holes, Bickerton birdied the 18th and second, then eagled the 521-yard third to move alongside German Sven Struver, France’s Gregory Bourdy and Belgian Nicolas Vanhootegem.

Lincolnshire’s Matthew King, playing his first event on the main circuit for two years, was alone in fifth place on three-under after turning in 33.

Bradley Dredge, the only player in the world’s top 125 taking part, Welsh World Cup-winning partner Stephen Dodd and former Open champion Paul Lawrie were all among the later starters.

Victory for 72nd-ranked Dredge would lift him into the world’s top 50 and set him up for a return to the Masters at Augusta a year after he was only three strokes off the lead with a round to play.