Through recommendations, a little fate and location I suppose Adrian found himself in a position to help 37 year old Birchwood, Warrington based European Tour Player Phil Archer with his technique and assault to regain his Tour card.
2007 saw Phil achieve a top 30 placing on the European Tour with over €900.000 in winning ably assisted by his long term Leeds based coach Mark Pearson. The form that saw him get edged out of a victory in the Omega Swiss Open when Brett Rumford chipped in on the last hole and also saw him have a putt for a 59 at Celtic Manor in the Welsh Open sadly started to dwindle the following seasons subsequently meaning re visiting Tour School this year.
After various changes with caddies, coaches and psychologist plus the arrival of new baby Jack a few weeks ago, Phil is now refocused on eclipsing the form of 07.
Phil’s historical work with top class coaches Mark Pearson and briefly Matt Belsham meant he already possessed a solid golf swing. You don’t qualify for two US Opens without knowing what you are doing! But job and personal commitments meant Mark and Matt were not in a position to help Phil which led him seeking some advice on his swing from Adrian on the recommendation of his sports psychologist Karl Morris a student of Adrian’s plus many of Phil’s friends whom he also coaches.
Adrian was pleased to report after his first mid November lesson, Phil then hit the practice range working on some subtle changes to his grip, backswing and sequence through the ball which saw an immediate positive effect on his ball control and subsequent confidence (click here to see Phil’s swing). Phil tested his new swing keys in a local North Region PGA event at the West Lancs Golf Club and anyone who knows this course also knows it to be one of the toughest tests of golf in the North of England. Six birdies in his first seven holes certainly was evidence Phil’s form was returning and other than not converting a few putts on the back nine and a bogeyed last hole his six under victory would have been many more.
Another lesson and several drills to do each practise session saw Phil return to the Sherry Golf Jerez, Spain to begin his assault on regaining his Tour card at 2nd stage qualifying school. From four separate events seventy five spots were available to go through onto Final Qualifying with nearly one hundred exempt players. Phil’s confirmed his improved ball striking and regained control under windy conditions with rounds of 68, 69,68and 68 winning the event by a street to earn his rightful spot at final qualifying. Click to view the European Tour article.
Late November Phil flew onto the PGA Catalunya Courses in Girona to take his place among the other 156 strong field of like-minded players all looking to secure their playing rights for the multi million pound European Tour 2010 season and Race to Dubai.
Playing over the Stadium and Tour courses, after four rounds the field is whittled down to 75 players and ties who will make it through to play a final 2 rounds and hopefully secure a top 30 placing and a Tour card for the 2010 season. Click to view the European Tour article.
Over the tougher Stadium course Phil had a very solid opening round of 68 followed by two consistent rounds over the Tour course of 70 and 68. A tough fourth round 72 secured Phil a place in the final but meant he knew he had to remain focussed and positive and continue his form for the final two rounds.
Two almost flawless final rounds 69 meant mission accomplished and Phil at 13 under par was delighted to finish in tied 12th position of the much sought after thirty spots. Click to view PDF.
Back home for Christmas with his family and newborn baby Phil has continued to work on his game with Adrian and is heading out to the African and Joburg Opens very confident about his game with improved ball striking. Adrian commented ‘Phil is a strong and very talented player and has applied the subtle swing changes very quickly with great results already. I feel very positive about this year, his desire is as strong as ever and his experience invaluable, so I firmly believe this season will see him eclipse 07 and wouldn’t be at all surprised if 2010 is the year he wins on Tour. Watch this space!’
