BIRCHWOOD Golf Club professional Phil Archer starts his first major tournament today, Thursday, and the omens are on his side.

Archer tees off his first round at the US Open at Winged Foot in the state of New York at noon (British Summer Time), and he can take encouragement from the result of last year's event.

The 34-year-old was the eighth and final player to make it through English qualifying last week and the last man to qualify at the same event in 2005, New Zealander Michael Campbell, went on to win the US Open.

Archer knows the chances of that happening again are not great though and he is just aiming to enjoy the event, which will be shown live on Sky until Sunday and will see him pit his wits against all of the world's top golfers.

He said: "I've not really got a goal. I'd like to make the cut and play the weekend but I'll just take things as they come.

"It would be nice if I could move my game up another notch and it's a massive stage.

"But I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I've no expectations so I'm just going to enjoy it."

Archer, who will start his second round at 5.30pm tomorrow and will play alongside Americans Kent Jones and Nicholas Thompson on the first two days, lives in Newton and has never played a senior tournament in America.

He also admitted last week that he knew little about the course he will be playing on, although he has been practising there since leaving England on Sunday.

Despite his superb form on the European Tour, he expects life will be tough as he faces a world-class field and, with US Open courses always set up with the aim of the eventual winner finishing on level par, the tournament has a reputation for being the toughest in the world - particularly for a rookie.

He said: "I've been playing well and it's by far the best period of my career.

"I've been happy with my form all year though. I just wasn't finishing tournaments off at the weekend in the first few months.

"I've got some consistency now, which has made me comfortable about my game and my confidence has improved as a result.

"My putting and my swing have improved but I know this will be difficult because it is another level of golf. The courses are always set up really tough at the US Open. The greens are fast and the rough is really long.

"With the wind coming into play, I've been playing a lot of low shots recently and I might do that again."

Archer was Birchwood Golf Club's first junior member when the club opened in 1979 and he has expressed his gratitude for the part they have played in his success.

He said: "I definitely feel proud to represent Warrington and Birchwood Golf Club this week.

"My dad was a founder member at the club and I worked in the pro shop for five years.

"The support has always been there. I started playing as a junior member and it has taken me all the way to the US Open."