JOHN Bickerton's consistency at the Deutsche Bank SAP Open in Heidelberg put him three under par going into today's third round.

The Droitwich ace recorded a two under par 70 yesterday at the prominent tournament to leave him just four off the chasing pack. David Park, though, missed the cut after finishing five over.

Bickerton and the rest are all chasing German Alex Cejka who is in line for only his second European tour title in nine years.

Cejka took a three-stroke lead into the third round and his chances of victory dramatically increased late yesterday when France's Gregory Havret, having drawn level with him on 11 under par, triple-bogeyed St Leon-Rot's last hole.

That dropped him into a tie for second with England's David Howell, another Ryder Cup hopeful.

Colin Montgomerie gave the second worst display of his entire European tour career when he crashed out in 128th place on nine over par.

Biggest dangers to Cejka could be Darren Clarke on seven under and world number three Ernie Elson. five under. But a double bogey seven on the 17th late yesterday did not help the South African.

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