By Brian Keogh

English professional John Bickerton has already had the longest drive of the week - and a massive taxi bill.

The Redditch pro, 37, was booked on a flight to Dublin by his management company for this week's Irish Open.

The problem is that the tournament is being played 140 miles from Dublin in deepest County Limerick.

Last year's French Open winner, who now lives in Germany, was forced to shell out over €360 for the trip.

It's not the first bit of bad luck that Bickerton has had in his golfing life

He was also hit twice by lightning during his amateur career.