Archer targets Lakes Classic

Phil Archer will take a break from the European Challenge Tour to compete in the Lakes Classic at Windermere Golf Club. 

The two-day pro-am has run continuously since 1987 at the scenic fell-land course where the PGA North Region Championship was won by Andrew Murray the previous season.

That was two years before the Manchester-based professional captured the European Open and the Cumbria club has since attracted many high-ranking players.

Among them was Derrick Cooper, a regular winner of the pro-am and Archer, and his former assistant at Birchwood Golf Club, is hoping to follow in his footsteps.

He finished in a share of 12th place in last week's Norwegian Challenge to move 25th in the Order of Merit as he bids to regain the European Tour card he lost three years ago.

Some 75 places below him in the rankings is Carden Park-attached Garry Houston, the 2012 De Vere Leeds Cup winner, but he could still make a big splash in the lakes.

So too, could Mossock Hall's David Shacklady, fresh from his victory in the Manchester Open.

Local hopes rest on host club professional and multi-title winner Simon Edwards who has twice played in the Open Championship.