DROITWICH'S John Bickerton saved his European Tour career in the best possible fashion - winning his first title at the 287th attempt.

The 35-year-old, five times a runner-up on the Tour, took the Abama Canaries Open in Tenerife by five strokes from left-hander Stuart Little and South African Michael Kirk.

Bickerton went into the week 118th on the Order of Merit and needing a top-five finish to remove any worries about losing his card and being forced back to the qualifying school.

But, after missing the half-way cut in six of his last nine starts, the Droitwich Spa Golf Club member lifted the £51,104 first prize with a closing 68 and 10-under-par total of 274.

"Finally," he sighed afterwards. "It feels fantastic, awesome. It's been a long time coming and I've been very worried about my place on tour.

"Your future lies on this game and a few quid makes such a difference. I moved down five spots last week, but it made me more determined and it's nice to pull it off under pressure."

Little was already safe on tour for next season, but second place represented his best finish of his career, while Kirk is now certain to graduate to the main circuit from the "second division" Challenge Tour.

Joint fourth were Scot Marc Warren, Swede Johan Axgren and, in his 500th tour event, Sheffield's Mark Roe.

For Roe it also means he saves his card. He was 117th on the money list prior to the tournament and after his best finish for four years he commented: "That was hard work.

"It's pleasant on reflection, but not when you are doing it. It does not get any easier the older you get."

Ahead by one overnight, Bickerton took himself clear by playing the first 10 holes in three under and after three-putting the short 12th he came straight back with a pitch to two feet.

The former England boy and youth international drove into the trees at the 413-yard 15th and had to chop out, but he saved par with an eight-foot putt and could breathe more easily.

Bickerton parred his way in and could enjoy the walk down the last knowing that even with a quadruple bogey he would win.

Who stays on tour and who has to return to the qualifying school will be decided at the Majorca Classic on October 20-23.

First comes this week's Madrid Open and Seve Ballesteros' return to golf after almost two years out.

The event takes place at Club de Campo, the course on which Ballesteros had the last of his record 50 victories on the circuit 10 years ago.

In the decade since, the former world number one has been battling a total loss of form and an arthritic back condition. He feared last year he might never play again and called off comebacks planned for the Masters, Spanish Open and Open Championship this year because he did not feel ready.