DAVID Dixon, who is struggling to retain his card on the European Tour after winning Tour School last year, bounced back to form in the West Region PGA Forest Classic at Forest of Dean and Forest Hills golf clubs.

The Enmore Park player missed a 12-foot putt on the final green that would have taken him into a play-off with Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre). He shot four under par 65 followed by three-under 69 at Forest Hills to share second with Welshman Matt Dearden (Vale Hotel).

He said: “I am slightly disappointed today as I was eight under par after 12 with two par fives to come and then flew the 17th green to drop a shot. But I was just grateful to be playing and enjoyed a nice couple of days.”

Dixon was forced to pull out of the Austrian Open the previous week suffering from neck and back trouble. He said: “I just seized up and was quite worried but a spell of physio put me right and I feel like an 18-year-old again after treatment.

“When I've managed to get starts I have just played poorly but I am still confident about the rest of the season and should be playing at Gleneagles later this month.”

Dixon and seven-handicapper James Simons (Taunton and Pickeridge) returned eight-under 64 at Forest Hills after an opening 62 to finish second in the betterball, so Dixon's two-day return was £1,000.