Former Masters champion George Archer dies

Former U.S. Masters champion George Archer, considered one of the best putters in the game's history, has died after a year-long battle with lymphoma.

American Archer, who won the 1969 Masters by a stroke, was 65.

A 12-times winner on the PGA Tour, Archer died at his home in Incline Village, Nevada on Sunday, GolfDigest.com reported on its website.

At six feet 5-1/2 inches (1.98 metres), he became the tallest player to win the Masters by holding off the challenge of Billy Casper, George Knudson and Tom Weiskopf at Augusta National in 1969.

His daughter, Elizabeth, became the first female caddie in Masters history when she carried his bag at the 1983 tournament.

Archer set a PGA Tour record of 95 for the fewest putts in a four-round tournament at the 1980 Sea Pines Heritage Classic. That mark was broken by fellow American Bob Tway in 1986.

A memorial service is planned for October 25 in Gilroy, California.

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