Bickerton excels at Minehead
27/01/2014
Former European Tour winner John Bickerton claimed a home victory in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal at Minehead and West Somerset.
Bickerton scored a five-under-par 67 to beat current Total Triumph Order of Merit leader Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) and another former European Tour winner David Dixon (Enmore Park) into second place after they posted rounds of 69.
For many the trip to the western extremity of the two counties is a lengthy one but a record entry of 29 turned out.
A stiff breeze made the back nine holes tough, but rain stayed away although pin positions were tucked in some interesting spots.
Bickerton has had to endure 19 operations in recent years on his troublesome elbow injury which has severely restricted his ability to practice and play for any length of time.
The Midlander, who won three times during his time on the European Tour, is still pretty useful over 18 holes though. This was demonstrated as he, despite admitting to some early round nerves, carded eight birdies.
Four came in each half with the outward gains coming at the first, sixth, seventh and eighth before a bogey at the ninth.
He then birdied the tenth, 11th, 14th and 15th before a lapse in concentration on the green saw him rack up a double bogey seven at the 16th.
His homeward total of 33 was the best of the day and, of course, he also took the birdie sweep.
Licata continued his excellent form of this season as he produced yet another sub-par score. He swept to the turn bogey free with four birdies as he strengthened his lead in the Order of Merit.
Dixon made an eagle-birdie start to his round and sandwiched a bogey at the sixth with two more birdies to reach the turn three under the card. Another shot was gained at the long 11th before his round came to an untidy end with shots being dropped at the 16th and 18th.
Former Minehead amateur Mark Luckett (Wheathill) always enjoys his return visits to his old stomping ground and he showed this again with a two-under-par 70.
PGA Board Member David Haines was fifth on 72 one shot ahead of Mike LaBand (Weston-super-Mare).
