PHIL Archer shrugged off a late change of course to maintain his superb form in the Manchester and District Golf Alliance Order of Merit competition.

Bolton Old Links Golf Club proved an excellent substitute to the waterlogged Styal course, and Poulton Park professional Archer found it very much to his liking.

His winning individual score of 43 points contained 10 birdies as he extended his lead at the top of the standings.

He finished a point clear of Ashton-under-Lyne’s Matty Kay, with Scott Howarth of Davenport a further two points back.

Archer and partner Anton Johnson of Warrington Golf Club then came agonisingly close to victory in the pro-am event.

They were one of three pairs tied on 46 points but lost out in the cpo, with Gary Brown (Glossop) and Richard Blackwell (Mottram Hall) taking the victory.