WORCESTERSHIRE golf ace John Bickerton was seven shots off the lead after the first round of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The Droitwich player was joint 42nd after a one-under-par 71, including five birdies and four bogeys.

Four birdies in the first 100 minutes' play showed how tough conditions were for the resumption of play today. Heavy rain and a blustery wind made life difficult for the early starters in the second round.

Club professional Jon Bevan, round in a respectable level par 72 yesterday, set off again with a quadruple-bogey eight, and former winner Manuel Pinero with a double-bogey six.

Colin Montgomerie, three clear thanks to his superb 64 yesterday, was one of today's later starters, but was aware the forecast was for things to get worse if anything, and that was probably not good for his ailing back.

Defending champion Andrew Oldcorn managed to par the first two holes to remain four under and joint sixth, but playing partner Padraig Harrington bogeyed the short second and was five over.