Archer on target

England’s Phillip Archer set the clubhouse target before play was suspended in the dunhill championship due to rain and lightning.

Archer carded a six-under-par 66 with six birdies and no bogeys at Leopard Creek.

“Things started to go well from the first hole,” Archer said. “I teed off at seven in the morning and I felt good.

“I’ve been working on my flexibility these last few months and that is definitely paying off.”

Archer carded three birdies on the front nine and also birdied the last two holes.

“That was amazing,” he added. “I sank a 40-foot snaking putt on the 17th and then hit an excellent four-iron to that scary 18th green.”

The 18th features an island green and to go for it in two requires nerves of steel – something which the Warrington born professional was doubting he had after hitting his approach.

“I was screaming to my ball and telling it to make the green, and it just did, by about a foot. Any less would have been in the water.”

Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin is in second place after a 67, South African Trevor Immelman carded a 69 while Ernie Els had parred the first before play was suspended.