THERE was no place like home for Phil Archer when he arrived at Marriott Worsley Park today for the first round of the '100,000 JJB Sports North West Challenge.

"I don't often get the chance to sleep in my own bed during a tournament as important as this one," he said after making the short journey from Warrington.

And 32-year-old Archer - whose foreign travels this season have taken him to South America, Africa and all over Europe - does not intend passing up the chance to capitalise not only on this event but also the Ryder Cup Wales Challenge at Northop Park the week after next.

"Two fixtures so close to home give me a massive opportunity to regain my European Tour card," he said.

Different

"I know both courses well, especially Worsley, and I was amazed during my practice round yesterday. It's in great condition and a different course from the last time I played it.

"Many of the lads were telling me they wished they could play somewhere like this every week. The new tees have certainly made it a tougher challenge, but that suits my game because I'm long off the tee."

Archer comes into the tournament after a run of form which earned him a share of second place with Swede Johan Axgren in the Volvo Finnish Open earlier this month, and 14th in Italy last week - which lifted him to within striking distance of an all-important top 15 spot in the Challenge Tour's Order of Merit.

Players who occupy one of those lofty positions at the end of the season automatically return to the main tour. And, as far as Archer is concerned, that's infinitely better than having to go to the qualifying school.

He added: "I know I can bounce back on to the main circuit because my recent results have boosted my confidence to keep pushing forward."

Italian job

Sam Little has also set himself a big target this week in an event which sees the M.E.N. as media partners. The 29-year-old Englishman, intent on securing a permanent place on the global golfing stage, completed an Italian job last weekend with victory in the Texbond Open at Gardagolf.

And a repeat performance at Worsley would virtually guarantee full European Tour playing rights for next season.

"I'm in the top 10 on the money list and I'll be doing everything I possibly can to ensure I'm still there at the end of the season," he said. Little knows he will face a tough challenge for the '16,667 first prize, as top flight golf returns to the Manchester area for the first time in 23 years.

Many of the Challenge Tour's big guns - and several of the new, young stars - are attempting to deny him.

There is no entry charge for spectators.