You are in > manchester.com  > News > Bickerton holds nerve to win French Open

Golf

Bickerton holds nerve to win French Open

02/07/2006

English golfer John Bickerton moved into the top ten of Europe's Ryder Cup table after holding his nerve to win the French Open by one stroke.

Bickerton, 36, carded a final round of 69 to finish on 11-under, pocketing a winners cheque of £458,000 after edging out Irishman Padraig Harrington, with compatriot Ian Poulter finishing joint-third.

The Worcestershire-based golfer, who led for three of the four days, trailed US Open champion Michael Campbell by a shot at the start of the day but gained a three-stroke advantage by the latter stages.

But he double-bogeyed the 15th hole after finding the lake to reduce his lead to one stroke, increasing the chances of a dramatic play-off.

But Bickerton steadied himself to finish a shot clear of Harrington who finished with an impressive final round of 66 to end ten-under for the tournament.

Campbell, Bickerton's playing partner, finished joint-third with Poulter and Australia's Mark Fraser on eight-under par after a nightmare finish to his round with a double-bogey six on the 18th hole.

The win for Bickerton, who turned pro in 1994, boosts his chances of playing in September's Ryder Cup at the K club in Ireland and grants him automatic exemption for the Open Championship.

Bickerton's triumph at Versailles was his second European tour title after his win at last year's Canaries Open.

© Adfero Ltd