NEWLY crowned Warrington Sports Personality of the Year Phil Archer has set his sights on a place in Europe's 2008 Ryder Cup team.

The Birchwood Golf Club professional finished 29th on the European Tour Order of Merit in 2007 and impressed for Great Britain and Ireland in the Seve Trophy, which has a similar format to the Ryder Cup.

His strong end to last year currently puts him 11th in the European points list for qualification for Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team, who will take on the United States at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky in September.

The top nine in the rankings are currently on course for automatic qualification and, although competition will be fierce to reach golf's most prestigious event, Archer believes he can force his way into the team.

"I'm going to push for the Ryder Cup," said the 35-year-old, who recently returned to live in Birchwood.

"I set out a good base with a good finish to last year so I'm in the reckoning and there's no reason why I can't qualify. And I'd love to be representing Warrington in Valhalla at the end of the year.

"But I'm under no illusions. The standard is frightening and I'll have to play well.

"I've shown signs in the first few events of the year, though, and I just need a really good four rounds instead of two.

"Often I've had two really good rounds and two average rounds."

Archer, who finished tied 48th at the Indian Masters in Delhi at the weekend after rounds of 74, 69, 76 and 77, is also targeting his first European Tour victory having finished second on three occasions during 2007.

He agonisingly missed out in a play-off at the European Masters in Switzerland but thinks he will be able to call on that experience in the future.

"I learned a bit from each one," said Archer. "In one event I was a few shots off first but the other two were close and one went to a play-off.

"If I get to the end of a tournament again I can go back to my memory of those events."