Archer's dream to come true

6:09pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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WARRINGTON Sports Personality of the Year Phil Archer booked his first ever appearance at the Open Championship in dramatic fashion on Monday after making birdies on the final two qualifying holes.

The Open had always eluded the 36-year-old Birchwood Golf Club professional, who has twice appeared at the US Open but had missed out on qualifying for the British event on 11 occasions - losing out by one shot four times.

Archer has described it as ‘a dream’ to fulfil a long-held ambition by taking part in this year’s event at Birkdale near Southport - just 20 miles from Warrington - between July 17 and 20.

Archer came through the European section of international final qualifying at Sunningdale in Berkshire after rounds of 67 and 68 left him on five under par.

That put him tied for seventh place in an elite 120-man field including the likes of Darren Clarke and Jose Maria Olazabal, with 18 players qualifying for the Open.

Archer ended his first round at Sunningdale with a birdie and an eagle but played the first nine holes of his second round in a two over par 37 to put him on one under par overall.

Birdies on the 11th and 14th holes put him back in contention but, as one of the final players to finish, he knew he needed more to qualify for the Open.

Finishing on three under par would have seen him miss out but birdies on the 17th and the 18th saw him evade a play-off and qualify automatically.

Archer finished tied 48th at the Open de France near Paris on Sunday after rounds of 69, 74, 74 and 71 left him four over par.

He starts the European Open at The London Golf Club in Kent today, Thursday, and will also compete in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond next week before going on to the Open Championship.