PHIL Archer chalked up his highest finish on the European Tour when he shared third place in the Spanish Open at San Roque.

And he attributed part of his success to keeping his game sharp by playing in the Manchester Alliance between tournaments.

"They keep a card in my hand as well as giving me the chance to catch up with my old mates," said the 34-year-old Birchwood-attached professional after closing with a 67 for a 17-under-par total.

An eagle at the 528-yard second, plus five birdies, left him one shot adrift of Sweden's Niclas Fasth, who snatched the title from Midlander John Bickerton at the fourth extra hole.

Fasth, who had turned 34 the day before, delivered the perfect birthday present to himself with a glorious nine iron to five feet that set up a winning birdie.

Flawless

The title had earlier threatened to slip from his grasp as he bogeyed the last two holes in regulation to throw away a two-shot lead and tie with Bickerton, who had matched the course record with a flawless 63.

That shot ultimately earned Fasth his fourth European Tour title and his third successive one via a play-off, following his successes last year in the Holden New Zealand Open and The Deutsche Bank Players' Championship.

The victory moved him up to 11th on The European Tour Order of Merit and earned him some much needed Ryder Cup points.

Archer, meanwhile, shared the spoils with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, Mattias Eliasson of Sweden, England's David Griffiths, the leading Spaniard, Jose Manuel Lara, and Scotland's Gary Orr.

STYAL'S David Horsey proved yet again why he is one of Europe's leading amateurs by winning the West of England Championship at Westward Ho by three shots.

It was his second victory in a row and made him favourite for this weekend's Lytham Trophy.

The England star bogeyed the first two holes in the fourth and final round then reeled off six birdies on the spin.

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