DROITWICH professional John Bickerton will play at the pinnacle of his sport as the 135th Open makes an overdue return to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake.

The 36-year-old joins the cream of the world's golf superstars as the Open ends a 39-year absence from Hoylake.

The course was once one of the most popular venues for the tournament but fell out of favour as the Open's organisers, The Royal and Ancient, favoured more modern courses with better transport links.

The course caught the eye of the organisers after Hoylake was given a revamp. The course was made 122 yards longer and the order of the holes was changed so the 17th hole was turned into the first. This also turned the par five 16th into the final hole.

Bickerton will also have to battle the elements on the famous old links course, with strong winds expected to have a telling effect on the Open.

The last time the tournament was held at Hoylake Robert de Vicenzo held off the challenge of Jack Nickluas in 1967, two years before Bickerton was born.

Bickerton goes into the tournament in the middle of one of his best ever seasons. Victory in the French Open has propelled him into the reckoning for a spot on Europe's Ryder Cup team.

He is currently in 11th place in the Ryder Cup rankings and a strong performance in Liverpool would enhance his chances of taking on the United States team in Ireland.

He has steadily improved at the Open and finished in 60th place at St Andrews in 2005 with a score of one-over-par.