JOHN Bickerton and David Park both face a battle to make the cut at the Smurfit European Open in Dublin.

Droitwich's Bickerton is seven shots off the lead after a two-over-par first round of 74, while Hereford's Park is one shot further back.

But Colin Montgom-erie, winner of last week's Irish Open, was looking to continue his revival today.

At four under par after an opening 68, the Scot was only one behind the five leaders -- Kiwi Michael Campbell, Italian Massimo Scarpa, Norwegian Henrik Bjornstad, Swede Mikael Lundberg and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber.

While trying to win the massive £333,330 first prize is his immediate priority, Montgomerie needs no telling that coming up are the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and then the really big one -- the Open at Royal Lytham.

Only once has the world number nine finished in the top 10 at an Open and five missed cuts scar his record.

"I've only played the Open once at Lytham and I went home on Friday afternoon," he said.

"But it's a good course and one that should suit me," added the former Order of Merit winner.