Archer edges ahead in European Masters

England’s Phillip Archer today held a slender lead midway through the final round of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Archer began the day three shots off the lead shared by defending champion Bradley Dredge and Australian Brett Rumford, but raced to the turn in 31 with five birdies.

The 35-year-old from Warrington, seeking his first European Tour title, then birdied the 10th to move to 16 under par, one clear of Dredge and Rumford.

Both players had started with birdies at the first and second before Dredge bogeyed the fifth after hitting his approach over the green.

The 2005 World Cup winner, who won by eight shots here last year, made amends with a birdie on the seventh after pitching to eight feet.

Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood and Wales’ Sion Bebb were three shots off the pace on 13 under.

Dredge got back on level terms with a birdie on the ninth, only to then bogey the 11th after finding sand off the tee.

Rumford, winner of the Irish Open in 2004, then birdied the 11th and 12th from short range to move to 17 under, one ahead of Archer who did well to save par on the 13th after hitting his tee shot into a bunker.