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Bickerton ahead by one shot at French Open

30/06/2006

England's John Bickerton holds a one-stroke lead after a solid round on day two of the French Open.

The Worcestershire-based golfer, who was the overnight leader, is on nine-under-par and continues to set the pace with a one-under-par 70 following up his round of 63 yesterday.

Bickerton, 35, is one stroke ahead of compatriot Gary Orr who managed a stunning round of 64 at the start of the day.

Welsh World Cup winner Bradley Dredge is a further shot behind Orr on seven-under-par along with US Open champion Michael Campbell, Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and Swede Joakim Backstrom.

Pre-tournament favourite David Howell will miss the cut after a torrid couple of rounds to end nine-over-par.

Veteran Seve Ballesteros carded a nightmare second round of 81 and admitted afterwards that he found it "hard to focus" following an eight-month layoff from the European tour.

But Bickerton is hoping to continue his impressive start and add a second tour title to his victory in the Abama Open de Canarias last year.

He said afterwards that he was pleased to remain at the top of the leaderboard after initially struggling on the greens.

"Yesterday they were rolling in nicely and today I was leaving a lot short on line,"

"It is not a bad score at the end of the day and still up there."

"You still have to go out and play and at the end of the day if you focus on what you are doing and don’t get ahead of yourself that is the only way to do it. I felt nervous out there but stayed focused."

The winner of the tournament in Versailles, celebrating its centenary year, will receive a cheque for four million euros.

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