JOHN Bickerton rubbed shoulders with the world's best golfers as he made the cut at the 134th Open over the weekend.

The Droitwich professional ended the tournament in 60th place on the leaderboard, after recording a one-over-par score of 289 on St Andrew's Old Course in Scotland.

This was the first time that he had completed one of golf's four majors, after failing to make the cut in the 2002 Open at Muirfield.

Bickerton started the tournament strongly in round one, holding par, until bogeys on the 13th, 14th and 17th saw him three-over.

But he bounced back at the home of golf, hitting four birdies and a double-bogey on the second day to make the cut.

A one-under-par round on the third day left him on level par.

Despite dropping a shot during the fourth day to complete the Open with a round of 73, Bickerton finished alongside American Phil Mickelson.

Success at the Open moved Bickerton up to 97th in the Volvo order of merit, his highest position all season.

World number one Tiger Woods held off a strong challenge from Colin Montgomery to win the Open.

Woods, who had already won the Masters earlier in 2005, finished the tournament on 14-under-par.