DROITWICH Spa golf ace John Bickerton finished 2002 in 29th place on the European Tour Volvo Order of Merit.

Bickerton, aged 33, played in 29 tournaments throughout the year and collected more than £400,000 for his efforts. His placing is just nine behind his best ever finish when he finished 20th in 1999.

In September John landed the biggest pay day of his career after finishing runner-up 11 under par at the £1.1million Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open - a feat which pocketed him a cool £122,220.

Finishing five shots behind 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, helped by five under par in his first two rounds, the result equalled Bickerton's best ever placing on the Tour following his second place in the 2001 Madeira Island Open.

An inspired Bickerton then secured another big pay day a few weeks later - this time netting £99,113 for his joint second place at the BMW Open in Munich.

During his final round, Bickerton fired six birdies in nine holes to finish 20 under par for the tournament.