Bickerton wins in Canary Islands
IN: News | European PGA | Open de Canarias (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 10 Oct 2005
35-year-old John Bickerton, with just three top tens in his last fifty three starts on the European Tour, has today taken full advantage of a weaker field by winning the Abama Open de Canarias on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
For Bickerton it is his breakthrough victory on the European Tour coming ten years after joining the Tour for the first time in 1995. The victory could not have come at a better time as he had been languishing on the edge of the top 115 and given his recent form it appeared as if he might be headed back to Tour School. That is now a distant memory as he has moved inside the top one hundred (91st) and is now assured of status to at least the end of 2006.
While not a large cheque (€75,000) and a long way from his biggest paydays in golf, there will be few complaints as Bickerton now relaxes leading into the final two events of the season. His largest ever prizemoney cheque was won at the 2002 Celtic Manor Wales Open when runner up to Paul Lawrie.
Bickerton started round four with a one shot lead over Stuart Little but hardly put a foot wrong through his opening nine holes and by the time he had made the turn he was four ahead of Little. Another birdie at the 10th allowed him the luxury of a cruise to the line although given what the win would mean and his shaky status on the Order of Merit leading into the event, it was unlikely to have been that.
Stuart Little secured his best finish of his career when sharing second although his place in Europe for season 2006 was already assured. He has been a constant mover between the European and Challenge Tours in recent years but he now has the comfort of his best season behind him as he heads into 2006.
Also in second place was the South African Michael Kirk, who has played the Challenge Tour in 2005 and as a result of this placing and that the money goes towards Challenge Tour ranking he is now assured of European Tour status for the first time in 2006.
42-year-old Mark Roe will also be breathing a sigh of relief as he too has all but regained status in 2006. €19,000 may not seem like a lot of money for a share of 4th but for Roe it is a cheque of huge significance.
The best of the Australasians was Stephen Scahill, who had a good week when 9th but he is still well outside the top 115. After a good start to the season, Scahill has lost his way and needs something stunning in Madrid and Mallorca if he is to avoid tour school.
Gareth Paddison had a much better week, in fact his best finish of the season when 11th, but he is so far behind the eight-ball he is destined for stage two European Tour qualifying.
Marcus Fraser edged up one spot to 113th when he finished 25th but he too needs something special in the next couple of events if he is to be assured of full status in 2006.
Jarrod Moseley has a task however as his 51st place leaves him in 156th position on the Order of Merit and, given that he is some €100,000 from where he needs to be to avoid Tour School, he will need a miracle in his last two events.
The European Tour now stays in Spain but heads to the mainland for the Madrid Open.
