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.