WORCESTERSHIRE'S John Bickerton looked almost certain to miss the cut in the Smurfit European Open Golf Championship at the K Club near Dublin today.

After yesterday's disappointing five over par 77, which left him trailing the leaders by ten shots, Bickerton continued to struggle in today's second round.

Birdies at the second and fourth holes had given him hope of a recovery, but then a run of five bogeys from the fifth followed by a double bogey seven at the par five tenth left the Droitwich Golf Club member on nine over par with six holes left to play.

At the head of the field five players shared the lead on five under par, including Ireland's John Dwyer.