BASINGSTOKE golfer Stuart Archibald is up to seventh on the EuroPro Tour order of merit after finishing in a tie for third at The World Poker Tour Invitational.

The event was played at the famous Prince’s club, in Kent, and Archibald was in contention throughout, despite having to retire from the previous week’s event, The Break90 Classic in Northumberland, after just one round.

At Prince’s, an opening round of 70 (-2), which included a run of four consecutive birdies just after the turn, left him two shots off the lead and he was just one stroke behind the leader thanks to another two-under-par round on day two.

The 30-year-old was unable to challenge for the title on day three, making five birdies but also four bogeys to card a one-under-par round of 71. A bogey at the final hole cost him a share of second as he finished the event on -5, three shots behind the winner.

However, the £1,700 he earned took the Legends Alliance golfer up to seventh on the order of merit, less than £2,000 outside the top five position he needs to earn promotion to the Challenge Tour, the second tier of European golf, next season.

There are just three events remaining. Archibald is currently in action at The PDC and World Snooker Open at The Oxfordshire Resort, while next week will see him travel to Scotland for the final event of the regular season. The season-ending Tour Championship takes place in Egypt at the end of October.