Philip Archer not down after chip shot blow

Sep 11 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE were plenty of positives to take away from Switzerland for Philip Archer, despite having to settle for his second runners-up spot of the season.

The Warrington golfer was agonisingly beaten in a play-off when Australia’s Brett Rumford chipped in to claim the Omega European Masters title.

Rumford holed out from off the green for a birdie on the first play-off hole at Crans-sur-Sierre to beat Archer after the pair had finished tied on 16 under par.

Archer began the day three shots off the lead shared by Rumford and defending champion Bradley Dredge, but raced to the turn in 31 and took the lead for the first time with another birdie on the 10th.

Rumford then retook the lead with birdies on the 11th and 12th before Archer birdied the 17th to draw level on 17 under par.

Both players then bogeyed the 17th and missed birdie chances on the 72nd hole to go into sudden death, Rumford sealing the win with a chip in from 40ft.

Archer, who also closed with a 65 to finish second behind Lee Westwood in the Andalucia Open in May, was philosophical in defeat.

“I hit three good shots in the play-off and lost, you can’t do anything about that,” he said. “I know Brett has one of the best short games out there and knew it would be close and it went straight in the middle.

“Every credit to him. He played well all week and is a worthy winner. Hopefully it will be my turn soon.”

Archer is now up to 38th on the European Order of Merit after finishing 41st last year. His next date is the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany, limited to a field of 78 with no halfway cut.