JOHN Bickerton will play at The Open Championship for the second time in four years.

The Droitwich Spa professional finished an impressive third in a qualifying tournament at Sunningdale yesterday following rounds of 67 and 66 to join 12 others at St Andrews from July 14 until 17.

Bickerton was one of 120 players, including former US Masters champions Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal, fighting for coveted places at the prestigious event and can now look forward to rubbing shoulders with the elite of the sport.

Woosnam qualified with Bickerton but Spain's Olazabal missed out, while five players were involved in a play-off today for the final spot.

Bickerton, who has never made the cut at the famous event, last featured at Muirfield in 2002 after earning an automatic place following a successful Scottish Open.

But his caddy twisted his ankle prior to the tournament, forcing his manager to carry his clubs around the course and the 35-year-old eventually missed the cut by one shot.

Play at Sunningdale had to be put back by two hours yesterday to allow players to arrive at the course after competing in the French Open which was delayed on Sunday.

Bickerton reached the final day in Paris, finishing on two-over-par for the event, and faced a mad dash across the channel for his only chance of reaching The Open.

His hectic schedule continues on Thursday with the start of the Smurfit European Open at the K Club in Dublin.