Lloyd's News

Lloyd Saltman taking a winter break before Challenge Tour campaign

2008-11-19T17:42:00.000+00:00

Lloyd Saltman is putting a brave face on his failure to win membership of the European Tour.
He failed to survive the fourth-round cut at the Final Qualifying School at PGA Catalunya in northern Spain at the weekend after shooting an 80 in the third round and a 67 in the fourth for five-over-par 291 - six shots to many to stay on and play the final two rounds.
The 23-year-old Lothians man, reckoned to have a golden future in the pro ranks after a stellar amateur career, says he will put away his clubs for the winter and come out refreshed for the 2009 season when he will be playing on the Challenge Tour.
"I came to Spain looking for a tour card and I've failed and that's disappointing," he said. "Saturday's round really hurt me but that's golf. I'll take it on the chin and move on. I have a decent category for the Challenge Tour and I'll play on that. It's not where I wanted to be but getting to the main tour is going to take longer than I planned. I'm willing to do what it takes though."

Saltman Survives

2008-11-10T14:44:00.000+00:00

Published Date: 10 November 2008
By NICK RODGER, Scotsman Publications

LOTHIANS golfer Lloyd Saltman will head for this week's European Tour qualifying school final in buoyant mood after surviving a nerve-wracking conclusion to his stage two campaign in Spain at the weekend.

The Craigielaw rookie emerged triumphant from a seven-man play-off at Sherry Golf in Jerez to clinch the last qualifying spot on offer and keep alive his hopes of securing a full card for the main circuit in 2009.

Saltman, 23, had found himself on the back foot after starting the 72-hole event with a three-over 75 last Wednesday but he clawed his way up the order with a 72 and a 70 before a battling four-under 68 in the final round on Saturday pushed him into a tie for 19th place with a three-under aggregate of 285.

That put the Lothians youngster into a shoot-out with six other players for the remaining qualifying spot, but the sudden-death decider had to be postponed until yesterday morning after darkness prevented any further play on Saturday night.

Saltman showed his quality in the delayed play-off, knocking a nine-iron from 140 yards to within ten feet and holing the putt for a vital birdie-three.

"Because there were seven of us we went out in a three and a four," said Saltman. "I was in the first three and after getting my birdie I had to wait and watch the group of four play the hole.

"It was more nerve-wracking than the actual play-off itself but when none of them made birdie then that was it."

Saltman, who earned an Asian Tour card at the turn of the year, has been relying mainly on invites during his rookie season after failing to reach last year's tour school final.

Despite a second-place finish on the Challenge Tour in Madrid and a tie for sixth in the main circuit's Russian Open, the former Scottish Boys' strokeplay champion has made just five cuts from 19 events in Europe.

With a place in the q-school final now his, Saltman has a chance to earn a tour category and set down a solid schedule for next year.

If he makes the 72-hole cut in the six-round final he will be guaranteed at least a full Challenge Tour card but, with the top 30 players earning promotion to the main tour after the gruelling 108-hole examination, the former Walker Cup player will be setting his sights high and aiming to join the big league.

As Saltman kept his tour ambitions alive, there was disappointment for his older brother Elliot as well as Lothians hopefuls David Patrick, Raymond Russell, Mark Hillson and Mark Kerr.

Capital ace Patrick, ninth at the start of the closing day after a steady campaign at Costa Ballena, missed out on a final spot in a play-off after a one-over 73, his worst score of the week, left him with a 280. Prestonpans man Russell, a winner on the European Tour in 1996, finished down on the 289 mark after a 73 while Saltman senior fired a five-under 67 at Arcos Gardens, but it was in vain as he came in with a 289.

Former Lothians champion Hillson signed off from his week at Montenmedio with a battling 69 but the Craigielaw amateur finished well out of the running on 292. Kerr closed with a 77 at Montenmedio for a 294.

Saltman's success yesterday took the number of Scottish qualifiers from stage two to six after Chris Doak, Craig Lee, Graham Gordon and amateur duo Scott Henry and Callum Macaulay all came through on Saturday.

They will now travel to PGA Golf de Catalunya near Girona in north east Spain for the q-school final which gets underway on Thursday.

Tour Talk

2008-10-09T14:49:00.002+01:00

Lloyd Saltman, middle brother of one of Scotland's greatest golfing dynasties, reflects back on the transition from an exceptional amateur to this first year as a professional golfer.

  Being a professional golfer is what I have always wanted to do since I was a young boy and now I am actually doing it!   I’ve really enjoyed it and I think that’s the key, I’ve learnt so much this year but the enjoyment thing is definitely key to progressing and being in the big tournaments and even winning.

  It’s been a real eye-opener turning pro, every week throws up something different whether it’s dealing with the hotels or the airport or perhaps even on the course itself, which is nice! You spend a lot of time on your own as well as a pro, which is very different from being an amateur so I have had to learn to cope with that.   On the playing side of things I have picked up most by watching the old pros, the guys who have been doing this for 20-30 years. They know how to get the job done, even when they are not playing well they manage to stay in the tournament through their short game.

Whereas several times this year I have played well, shot around level-par for two rounds and still not made the weekend, which is hard.   I have had some good weeks and some not so good weeks but I am really trying to learn from both, since it’s all anew environment for me. On the good weeks I have tried to learn from my game and in the bad I am trying to take something away from the emotions. It’s all about getting myself ready and able to compete in the coming years.   So for instance one of my biggest strengths is driving, I hit it fairly long and straight which gives me an obvious advantage but I’ve got learn to capitalize better from those positions.

This will then take the pressure off other areas of my game and allow me to move forward.   I’ve just spent the week at the Dunhill Links, which is a fantastic event. It’s got a great fun vibe and it’s nice for us pros to have something different. You know most weeks are played in a very serious atmosphere, which is great, but when you have an amateur on your team it does change the mood. There are also loads of parties going on but I try and stay away from those!   I played well actually, especially so on the first day in really tough conditions at Carnoustie.

But in the end three bad holes on the third day cost me, which I suppose is something else I have to learn from!   Then the last few days I have spent at the Carrick in Scotland having a great time at the Magners Scottish Final, which is a great club competition to be a part of. I have a good connection with Magners, they are a young brand going somewhere and hopefully I am the same! I went up there and talked to the finalists and helped them out on the range and then played 9-holes with a few of them. It was a cool day and I’m delighted to be involved. They have got a competition in Wales as well and it’s really important to me to help out club golf.   

Now the focus turns to Q-School and trying to secure my card for next season on the European Tour. It’s something I am getting myself in good shape for and hopefully it’ll go well. My brother Elliott came through first stage at the Oxfordshire so we will be out in Spain together, which is great. Our youngest brother will also come and caddie for one of us – he is playing full-time as an amateur at the moment. The three of us on Tour now that would be good…

Circumstances conspired against Faldo as in-form Americans thwarted Europe

2008-09-25T10:11:00.002+01:00

Published Date: 24 September 2008

Captain deserves some sympathy for the Louisville defeat, says Lloyd Saltman

THE fall-out from Europe's Ryder Cup defeat has been typically fierce towards Nick Faldo, but like a lot of players in his team, I have sympathy for the captain.

His selections, ultimately, did not result in defeat; Ian Poulter, for example, had a fantastic few days in Valhalla. More importantly, it wasn't as if the European team played poorly in losing the famous trophy, the United States merely had a fantastic weekend.

Oliver Wilson, for example, was two under par through nine holes on Sunday and found himself three down to Boo Weekley. If Wilson had been playing against Chad Campbell, he would have been four up.

Other circumstances worked against Faldo. Paul Casey didn't putt as well as you would normally expect him to and Padraig Harrington seemed to suffer from neck trouble. You couldn't make plans for either of those eventualities, Harrington has enjoyed the year of his life so far. Given that he wasn't fully fit, it made sense for Faldo to put Harrington out last in Sunday's singles rather than relying on him at the top of the draw.

I remember from losing a Walker Cup in Chicago how sore it is to take and also how the American crowd can really get behind their players. I heard a lot of comments, particularly from Lee Westwood, regarding the conduct of the crowd but it goes without saying that fans in America go over the top. Anthony Kim was geeing up the crowd in that Walker Cup, so it is going to be even more noisy at a Ryder Cup.

The one difference would be if players were being put off before they hit shots but, as home crowds go, I didn't think this one was too bad. That only one person was ejected over the whole weekend probably says it all; we shouldn't get caught up too much in home fans supporting their team or players celebrating moments of magic such as Hunter Mahan's putt against Casey on the 17th on Sunday.

Admittedly, I saw a little more of the Ryder Cup than I would have liked having missed the cut at the Kazakhstan Open. It wasn't a great week in a place I wouldn't choose to visit for a holiday, but the next week or so is an exciting one.

Firstly, I am defending my World Hickory Championship title at Craigielaw – time to dust down the old plus fours and wooden-shafted clubs – before I compete in the Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews next week, following a late invite. It's not often you can claim to be a world champion and the hickory event is great fun, even if you are almost certain to snap a few clubs along the way.

Last week wasn't a complete write-off, as my older brother Elliot did brilliantly in making it past stage one of European Tour qualifying school in Oxfordshire. Two opening rounds of 67 set him up perfectly – that is one event where you just pray you don't have a bad time of it – and he now joins me in the second stage.

• Lloyd Saltman is sponsored by life and pensions group Aegon UK.

Lloyd Saltman: Lee won't be denied his moment – and neither will I

2008-09-10T09:49:00.001+01:00

Published Date: 10 September 2008
NEWS that Lee Westwood should be fit and ready to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup is a major boost, not only to the team but to the player himself.
I have been fortunate that, and touch wood, I have never been prevented from competing on the golf course because of injury or illness. The news that Lee had a bout of tonsillitis not only meant Nick Faldo could be denied the services of one of his most influential not to mention on-form – players, it could have had devastating consequences for Lee himself. Having worked so hard to become part of a Ryder Cup team, what a cruel blow it would have been to miss out at the last minute because of what is little more than fate.

That said, Europe are fortunate to have strength in depth and Martin Kaymer, who would have replaced Lee, would have been handed a fantastic opportunity on the biggest stage possible if illness had taken over. But it is good news that Lee is tipped to recover, I'm sure he wouldn't take part if he didn't feel he would do himself justice.

I have embarked on the first leg of what seems a bit like a world tour this week, having arrived in China for the Challenge Tour's event in Qingdao, about a 90-minute flight from Beijing. Obviously China is an exciting place to be just now, with the Olympics and Paralympics taking over the summer, but the smartly re-built Beijing Airport is about as much as I have seen. It is a lot quieter where we are based.

I played some Asian Tour events at the start of the year so that experience should help me this week, not least in dealing with tiredness or jetlag from travelling.

The layout of the course here is impressive, but the fairways are not in great condition and I'd expect we'll be allowed preferred lies when the competitive stuff starts tomorrow. Added to that, the greens are a little grainy and not ideal to putt on; practice rounds take on added importance in such situations so I have been delighted to play 18 holes every day since Monday. And I have felt like a member of the Scottish football team in Macedonia at times, the humidity here is pretty severe so it is important to keep taking water on board and concentrating.

My Challenge Tour status should already be enough to hand me at least minimum starts on that platform next season, but there is plenty incentive to do well both this week and next, when I head to the Kazakhstan Open. There is good money on offer in each event, therefore a decent opportunity to significantly increase my ranking, which would impact both on next season and at what stage I enter European Tour Qualifying School at in Catalunya later this year. I'm looking for a final push and given how hard I feel I have worked this season, I think there is one in me.

• Lloyd Saltman is sponsored by life and pensions group Aegon UK.

Saltman looking to build on success at Moscow

2008-08-31T14:32:00.000+01:00

Published Date: 31 July 2008

By NICK RODGER, The Scotsman

LOTHIANS golfer Lloyd Saltman was continuing his golfing escapades in Ireland today looking to find the consistency required to continue his climb up the professional ladder.

The 22-year-old Craigielaw rookie tees-up in the Challenge of Ireland in Athlone buoyed by a fine sixth-place finish in the European Tour's Russian Open in Moscow last weekend.

Saltman picked up a cheque for almost £30,000, his best pay day since joining the pro ranks last September, but, importantly, his top-ten placing secured him a spot in the Scandinavian Masters in Sweden in a fortnight and handed him another opportunity to make his mark among the elite.

After finishing runner-up in the European Challenge Tour's Reale Challenge de Espana earlier in the summer, Saltman proceeded to miss his next four cuts, a frustrating run which included an early exit from the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

But having bounced back with a classy display in the Russian capital, the former Walker Cup star is hoping to string a series of results together to keep him moving forward.

"The aim in Russia was quite simple, to have a good week, get into the top ten and get myself into the Scandinavian Masters," said Saltman.

"I achieved that and that gives me another chance to make an impression and hopefully it can have a snowball effect and I can keep going. The key is to find a bit more consistency. I had the second-place finish on the Challenge Tour in Spain and then had a run of missed cuts after that.

"In all those events, I had good second rounds but it was the odd shot here and there in round one that cost me. It gave me too much to do and that is something I'm trying to work on and cut out.

"The cheque from Russia was a big boost but the biggest lift for me was being involved at the top of the leaderboard at a European Tour event. That's where you want to be all the time and I handled it well and felt comfortable in that position."

Since making the step-up from the amateur game last year, Saltman has experienced a mixture of golfing emotions.

His bid for a European Tour place failed at the second stage of the qualifying school in November but, undeterred, he headed for the Far East and gained a card for the Asian Tour.

The former Scottish Boys' strokeplay champion finished 17th in his first event on the circuit in India in February but, with limited starts, he returned to European soil to take up a selection of invitations to both the Challenge Tour and the European Tour.

From those 11 events, Saltman has made just four cuts but the Lothians youngster remains content with the way his game is developing.

He added: "There have been some good highs along the way but obviously there have been more missed cuts than I would've wanted. But sometimes if you miss a few cuts then come back with a high finish it can balance things out.

"I know where I'm going and I'm happy with how I'm progressing. I feel I'm getting better each week and learning all the time. It's been a big step up but results like Russia proved to me that I can compete and a win is not that far away."

Lloyd Saltman: Revision required as bell sounds for Qualifying School

2008-08-20T14:25:00.000+01:00

by Lloyd Saltman

Those range sessions with my coach, Colin Brooks, in the coming days will be focused on my iron play, which was wayward at the Scandinavian Masters last week. Rounds of 73 and 72 were not enough to make the cut and, to be honest, I didn't play that well. However, it has been pleasing that even in times of relatively poor form this year the worst I have scored in a single round is three over.

That is going to be vital in what is an important few weeks. After Gleneagles, another week off is followed by Challenge Tour events in China and Kazakhstan. As it stands, I am exempt from the first stage of European Tour Qualifying School and will enter that process at stage two. But if I can get my current Champions Tour ranking up from 70th to at least 45th, I'll be eligible directly for the third and final stage. Still a really tough place to be, but a slightly less onerous prospect than playing through stage after stage.

Although you can't have that in your mind every time you play, it is something to think about and, with Tour School on the horizon, it is heartening that I'm not throwing in stupidly high scores. There is a lot to think about; sometimes I have to remember I've not been a professional for a full year yet, and mental focus is paramount. I have been quite happy with the way I have handled that so far.

Another heartening aspect from Sweden was that I managed to scramble pretty well, my short game stood up to the test when the irons were going offline. It is, as always, just now a case of trying to piece the whole thing together before the Johnnie Walker. The Centenary Course at Gleneagles, already being modified slightly with a view to hosting the Ryder Cup, should suit me because of its' length. And, given this weather, there should be no sign of it shortening up between now and tee off a week tomorrow. The Johnnie Walker is a top tournament and, with the Ryder Cup race hotting up, should attract a few big names this year.

It has, of course, been hard to avoid the Olympic Games in the last couple of weeks and the British team's achievements to date have been fantastic. I know dialogue has been opened with a view to golf becoming an Olympic sport, possibly as early as the 2016 games.

It isn't something which admittedly I have thought much about, but I have seen the comments of other pros, Trevor Immelman among those who have stressed golf should not be an Olympic sport. All I can say is I hope my status is such that I would even be considered for a British team and it would seem a great prospect to compete for a gold medal.

• Lloyd Saltman is sponsored by life and pensions group Aegon UK.

Last Updated: 19 August 2008 9:59 PM
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh

You have to hand it to Harrington, but I have Swede dreams of success too

2008-08-12T14:28:00.000+01:00

by Lloyd Saltman

Back-to-back major winner inspires LLOYD SALTMAN

PADRAIG Harrington's achievement in claiming a second major in a row wasn't just an unbelievable personal effort; it was a brilliant example to young golfers everywhere.

As Padraig's coach, Bob Torrance, has said since the USPGA Championship, the Irishman is someone who maximises every bit of his talent through hard work. It may not be the prettiest at times, but he wants to squeeze everything out of himself both physically and mentally to be the best golfer he possible can.

We have all seen it, as kids; there will be guys who hit the ball a lot better and further than anyone else but more often than not it is the player who wants it the most who will succeed. Padraig is the epitome of such a theory. He is now rightfully regarded as one of the world's best players after major victories on either side of the Atlantic.

You could see his determination coming down the back nine at Oakland Hills on Sunday. Ben Curtis was playing well, but it always looked like a matchplay shootout between Harrington and Sergio Garcia; Padraig had a mental edge having beaten him in the Open playoff last year and that, too, would help. I couldn't see Padraig not winning with nine holes to play, the focus was there in his eyes.

There was a great performance, too, from Alastair Forsyth in finishing ninth. Scottish golf has come under scrutiny this year, and Colin Montgomerie struggled in the USPGA, but Alastair is a real success story and a good lad. He has won this year, been beaten in a playoff and now challenged in a US-based major. That is great going and I'm delighted both for him and his caddy Dave Renwick, who is someone I know well. Alastair didn't have the best start to the season but is finishing it superbly; another lesson to us all perhaps

Last week was probably a good one for me to have off, in hindsight. I was slightly ill for a couple of days and then the course at Craigielaw was flooded because of the rain which gave me an opportunity for some rest.

I'm now in Stockholm for the European Tour's Scandinavian Masters, where it's great to be back in among some of the top names on the continent. A lot of these guys have a late surge for a Ryder Cup place on their minds while a Swede who performed so well in that tournament in the past, Jesper Parnevik, is also playing.

The course out here has also suffered from a bit of rain in the last week but that should add more 'through the air' play, which is how I like it. And it's a bonus to be staying in the heart of Stockholm; sometimes when we come to these events, you are at a venue out in the wilderness without much of a chance to experience a new country. That's not the case this week, although the prices here mean I'll have to do my best to keep the credit card in my pocket if I get a wander round the shops.

Last Updated: 12 August 2008 11:34 PM
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh

Competing on the European circuit is my own major triumph for now

2008-06-11T14:22:00.001+01:00

The Scotsman
Published Date: 11 June 2008

By Lloyd Saltman in Madrid

ALTHOUGH I'm hoping not to be watching too much of the US Open this weekend, for obvious reasons, it is always a great tournament and one I have enjoyed.

There has been a lot of debate about the USGA making the courses really tough; I don't see Torrey Pines being any different, it has become tradition that this is a really testing competition.

Some players might moan but I think it is exciting to watch. It is sometimes nice to see the best players in the world struggling to score level par, rather than running up 20 under. Tiger Woods may have had some recent trouble with his knee but he is still my pick to win it; he is simply too good to ever rule out.

The main golfing focus of the weekend might be in America, but for a lot of us the St Omer Open in northern France is where all our attention lies.

I'm delighted to be involved in a European Tour event; playing with the big boys is where we all want to be. Paul McGinley will play in France, where there is a 600,000 prize fund.

I headed to the Challenge Tour event in Madrid last week knowing that the top five finishers would qualify for the St Omer, so that was my goal.

To finish second was great; I feel I've played nicely and sensibly in the last couple of months and it is pleasing to go to France this morning in good form.

With limited starts on the Challenge Tour and not having my European Tour card, it is important I make the most of every appearance to keep improving my ranking. I don't want days off this weekend, so that means aiming to make the cut in St Omer.

I missed out on qualifying for The Open by a shot in a really strong field when playing in Singapore. Rather than being too disappointed about it, I looked at my statistics and reckoned I was actually playing well. That theory was backed up by decent finishes in tournaments in Morocco and Manchester, before Madrid.

The travelling may be difficult – I have sometimes been out in Asia for a fortnight at a time then home for three weeks – but I want to play in as many events as possible.

A couple of days in Edinburgh at the start of this week gave me a chance to catch up with Colin Brooks, my coach of nine years, who always makes sure I'm not slipping up or lapsing into any bad habits.

A noticeable thing about Madrid was the Scottish influence. The tournament winner, Andrew Mcarthur, is a Scot as is Richie Ramsey, who was sixth. My brother Elliot tied for 21st and Jamie McLeary also did well; it is always nice to see the Scottish boys competing.

I was delighted for Andrew – even if he only avoided a playoff with yours truly by a shot – and Richie, the former US amateur champion, has been playing really well for the last three weeks. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

• Lloyd Saltman is sponsored by life and pensions group Aegon UK.

Saltman views Rose as template to bloom in professional game

2008-04-10T19:39:00.005+01:00

WHEN Lloyd Saltman settles down in front of the television in his new house this weekend to watch the final two rounds of the Masters, the Scottish rookie professional will be paying particular attention to Justin Rose.

One of several British players tipped to mount a challenge this week in the first major of the year, Rose had more downs than ups early in his professional career, but the way he has learned from his mistakes and set about turning himself into one of the best players in the world made a big impression on Saltman. The talented young Scot has only been in the pro ranks for just over six months and is already discovering it's not easy to make an instant and successful transition from the amateur ranks. But he sees Rose as something of an inspiration.

"The main difference is the depth of talent in the pro game," said Saltman. "It's a bit top heavy in the amateur game. But the jump between the top of amateur golf and professional golf isn't that big. If you shoot level par in a European tour event, you don't play at the weekend. If you shoot level par in the amateur game, you've got a chance to win.

"Justin Rose, for example, is one you can take some inspiration from. He missed 20 cuts in a row at one time I think, but I imagine if you asked him now he wouldn't change anything. He went through a tough spell when he wasn't playing well, but he got out of the rut and now he's won the Order of Merit and is right up there in the world rankings. It probably turned him into the player he is now. He has a great chance at the Masters this week."

After failing to secure a European Tour card at the qualifying school in November, Saltman secured a top-20 finish on his Asian Tour debut in New Delhi. But he missed the cut in Thailand a month later and bogeyed his final hole to miss out on a place in the Open by a shot at the International Final Qualifying event in Singapore.

Saltman, however, is enjoying every minute of his new life as a pro. He is expecting the keys to a new house little more than a drive and long iron away from Craigielaw, his home course in East Lothian, and as part of his expanding profile he took on an ambassadorial role at the Carrick on the banks of Loch Lomond yesterday to promote this year's Magners Scottish Golf Clubs Championship.

The former Penicuik High School pupil is relying on sponsors himself right now and hopes to get invitations to five or six tournaments on the European Tour this year. He believes the opportunity to play in both Asia and Europe will make him better equipped for the challenge of establishing himself in the years ahead. "It's not my dream start," he admitted.

"When I turned pro, I wanted to go straight out and play on the main European Tour, that didn't happen but it has given me the opportunity to go to Asia and I think in the long run that will help me become more of a worldwide player.

"It's been a big learning curve. The standard is a lot higher in the pro game so even if I miss a cut I try to look at the stats to see if I'm improving. I'm hitting it better off the tee and getting fitter and stronger. If I can keep improving different aspects of my game, results will come. I'm trying to be patient because you can get caught up chasing it and get frustrated. I think it's just going to take time."

By Phil Johnson

The Scotsman 09 April 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf?articleid=3960881

Fisher's close call drives Saltman on for Europe

2008-04-01T11:11:00.001+01:00

LOTHIANS golfer Lloyd Saltman has touched down in Portugal seeking to use the performance of his good friend, Oliver Fisher, as inspiration ahead of his first appearance on the European Tour this year.

The 22-year-old from Craigielaw, who has just returned from a fortnight of competition in Asia, will compete in the Estoril Open de Portugal later this week having received an invite to the event at the Oitavos Dunes course. Saltman's former GB&I team-mate Fisher was pipped to his first professional title on Sunday when he lost out in a play-off to Frenchman, Thomas Levet, in the Andalucia Open in Spain.

Along with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlory, Essex teenager Fisher is making his mark on the European stage and Saltman remains confident he too can join his former amateur sparring partners at the top table.

He said: "It was a great effort from Oliver but a real disappointment that it ended that way. There are more and more players, like Oliver and Rory, that I competed alongside on the amateur circuit and who are now doing well in the pro game. I know I can compete with them and when I see them doing well at the top level then it drives me on too. I see no reason why I can't do it as well."

Saltman spent the last fortnight in the Far East competing on the Asian Tour in Thailand as well as the Open championship's final qualifier in Singapore. He emerged from his latest trip with little to show for his efforts, having missed the cut in the Asian Tour International by a shot and then falling just a stroke short of securing a place at this July's Open.

In both events. Saltman was left cursing bogeys on his final hole which, ultimately, proved costly – but the former Walker Cup star is confident his game is heading in the right direction. He added: "I feel I'm playing well and I'm happy with where my game is. The Open qualifier was bit of a disappointment.

It's been a tough couple of weeks but I'm keen to focus on the positives. I'm confident in my own abilities and now I have to look forward to this week. The European Tour is where I want to be playing and this is a chance for me to make an impression."

Meanwhile, GB&I Walker Cup skipper Colin Dalgleish gave Saltman a glowing tribute during the Scottish Golf Union's awards dinner in Glasgow on Friday night.

Dalgleish picked up a Special Achievements Award on behalf of the 2005 Open silver medal winner at the glittering bash in the Crowne Plaza Hotel and he said: "Lloyd had a fabulous amateur career and, as his former captain for GB&I, I found him to be, not only a fine individual player, but a terrific team member. This award is thoroughly deserved."

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman 31 March 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Fisher39s-close-call-drives-Saltman.3930930.jp

Saltman loses Open berth on final hole

2008-03-28T12:06:00.000+00:00

LLOYD Saltman was left to rue a bogey on the 18th hole at the Sentosa club in Singapore yesterday as the Craigielaw rookie narrowly missed out on an Open championship place in the Asian leg of International Final Qualifying.

The 22-year-old, who won the silver medal as the top amateur in the 2005 championship at St Andrews, closed with a two-under 70 over the Serapong course, but his three-under aggregate of 141 left him just a stroke outside the top-four finish needed to secure a trip to Royal Birkdale in July.

The par-five 18th was costly and, having stumbled to a six, Saltman just missed out on joining Lam Chi Bing, Angelo Que and Tomohiro Kondo in a play-off for the final two qualifying spots. Bing and Que emerged victorious from the shoot-out and will join Danny Chia of Malaysia and Australian Adam Blyth at Birkdale.

Ross Bain, the leading Scot at Carnoustie last year, missed out on 148 after a 72, while countryman Simon Dunn closed with a 72 and finished well down on 150. Englishman Yasin Ali, who was sharing the lead after round one, toppled out of the qualifying places with a 73 for 142, while former British Boys’ champion, Rhys Davies of Wales, also failed with a 147.

By NICK RODGER

The Scotsman 26 March 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Saltman-loses-Open-berth-on.3918249.jp

Lloyd Saltman Delight At Asian Debut

2008-02-27T17:23:00.000+00:00

LLOYD SALTMAN reckons he can be a winner on the Asian Tour this season after a top-20 finish on his debut last week at the SAIL Open in India.

The former Walker Cup star showed his class with a sizzling third-round 66 to storm up the field and is ready to make a big impact on the tour.

Saltman said: "Going to India was a new experience for me and quite an eye opener.

"Playing in that environment will certainly stand me in good stead. The level of competition was very good but I more than held my own.

"I feel upbeat about the weeks ahead and I'm confident I can win on the tour this season if I play four rounds like I know I can."

Saltman will now spend the next fortnight back in Scotland before returning to the Far East for a run of events beginning with the Asian Tour International in Thailand, which tees off on March 20.

He said: "Now I've enjoyed a taste of the tour I'm eager to get back out there as soon as possible and get a run of events under my belt.

"Hopefully my game will get sharper as the weeks go on and that will show in my performances."

Padraig Harrington has joined the list of early entrants to this July's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

The Irishman won the Claret Jug in a play-off at Carnoustie last year and is one of five former winners, along with Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie, Ernie Els and Justin Leonard who have been quick to sign up for the 2008 event.

Meanwhile, the 2012 Junior Open will be held at Fairhaven Golf Club in Lytham St Annes near Blackpool.

The biennial event for boys and girls, which has featured future stars like Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and Paula Creamer, takes place the week leading up to the Open.

Daily Record 27 February 2008

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf-news/2008/02/27/lloyd-saltman-delight-at-asian-debut-86908-20332780/

Lloyd laps up life on the Asian Tour

2008-02-27T17:19:00.001+00:00

CRAIGIELAW professional rookie Lloyd Saltman is confident he has the ability to be a winner on the Asian Tour this season.

The former Walker Cup star marked his debut on the circuit with a 17th place finish in the SAIL Open Golf championship in India last weekend after an eventful few days over the Jaypee Greens course.

After surviving the halfway cut with nothing to spare, Lothians ace Saltman, 22, showed his class in round three with a best-of-the-day 66 before recovering from a calamitous opening to his final round – he was five-over through six – with a battling 73 to cement his place in the top 20.

With a week of competitive action now behind him, the 2005 Open Silver Medal winner is feeling optimistic about his future prospects on the rapidly growing Asian circuit. "Going to India was a whole new experience and quite an eye opener," said Saltman. "Playing in that different environment will certainly stand me in good stead. The level of competition was very good but I felt that I could more than hold my own and I came back feeling upbeat about the weeks ahead. I'm quite confident I can win on the tour if I can play four rounds the way I know I can.

"The 66 in round three showed what I can do, but the thing that made me most proud was the way I battled in the last round to keep myself in the top 20 after an awful start."

Saltman is back in Scotland for the next couple of weeks before making the trek back out to the Far East for a run of events beginning with the Asian Tour International in Thailand.

And, with financial support from sponsors Aegon and Edinburgh Pentland Land Rover allowing him to continue his globetrotting lifestyle, Saltman is keen to start building up his own reserves of cash from tournament play. He added: "I picked up about £2500 in India, which cleared my expenses but it will be nice to start putting a few cheques together. Now I've had a taste of the tour, I'm eager to get a run of events under my belt. Hopefully my game will get sharper as the weeks go on and that will show in my performances."

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman 27 February 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Lloyd-laps-up-life-on.3819699.jp

Saltman has appetite for New Delhi

2008-02-07T04:32:00.000+00:00

LOTHIANS golfer Lloyd Saltman will make a passage to India later this month in an effort get his professional career up and running.

The Craigielaw rookie has not played in a proper tournament since last October's Dunhill Links championship on home soil but will get the chance to shine in the Asian circuit's SAIL Open in New Delhi.

Saltman admits that his failure to make the grade in the European Tour's qualifying school last year has left him with an uncertain schedule but the former Walker Cup star, 22, is relishing the chance to finally get some competitive action under his belt.

"Missing out at the tour school was always going to make things difficult," said Saltman, who spent three hours at the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh yesterday trying to obtain his visa for the trip.

"I'm only going to India for a week and then my next event may not be until March. My schedule is still pretty patchy and that's why I have to go and make the most of any opportunities that come along. It's been a while since I played with a card in my hand and I'm eager to get going."

Saltman will head for Spain tomorrow with brothers Elliot and Zack for a week of warm-weather training at the Desert Springs club before making the step into the unknown with caddie Mark Crane for the Indian event which starts on the 20th of the month.

The former Open silver medal winner added: "It will be a whole new experience for me in India but, given that I have to be willing to play anywhere, it will stand me in good stead."

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman, 6th February 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Saltman-has-appetite-for-New.3748057.jp

Saltman sets off for Far East on a route to Europe

2008-01-02T05:03:00.000+00:00

Craigielaw golfer believes global schedule will make him a better player as he aims for 2009 European Tour car after securing a card in Malaysia last month to play on this year's Asian Tour, Lloyd Saltman expects the opportunity to compete in the Far East during 2008 will help him evolve into a golfer capable of performing anywhere on the international stage.

"I hope the experience will turn me into a worldwide player rather than just a European one," the young Scot said yesterday.

The 22-year-old Craigielaw golfer will sit down with his father and manager, Jack, this month and work out a global schedule for the months ahead which will enable him to take part in events on both the Challenge Tour and the Asian Tour without heaping too much pressure on his body.

Saltman's main aim during 2008 is to earn playing privileges for the European Tour in 2009 – he missed out at Tour school in November – and make the most of the competitive opportunities which present themselves along the way.

"I was pretty happy with the fact that I accomplished the goal I'd set myself and won a Tour card in Asia," he recalled. "After the disappointment of missing out on a spot for the European Tour, I went to Malaysia with a game plan of not getting too caught up in things. That worked out okay and I played solidly enough to get through."

Having played beautifully in the third round and all but booked his place for 2008, there was a moment of alarm in the last round when he carded an 8. "The course was unbelievably wet and I hit a drive over the hill on a par 5 where there weren't any ball spotters," he recalled. "The ball got plugged somewhere and I lost it. That's how I ended up making 8. But I bounced back with a birdie, par finish and made it through."

While he's hopeful his ability to move the ball long and high around golf courses should stand him in good stead in Asia, Saltman knows it will be challenging for his body to adapt to intense heat and high humidity.

"Even during the qualifying school final I found it was very hot and I made a habit of dumping my towel in the ice bucket and wrapping it round my neck. That was something I'd never done on a golf course before," he confessed.

"There were other differences from what I'm used to – I found the greens were grainy – but that's all part of the learning curve and I hope the experience will turn me into a worldwide player rather than just a European one.

"I enjoyed it all, and think my game is suited to playing out there. I'm looking forward to the challenge because I'm sure it will be another string to add to my CV. Anything that helps me become a better player is going to be worthwhile."

Although prize money of $29 million is on offer from the Asian Tour in 2008, the cancellation of the Pakistan Open means there isn't a strokeplay event on that continent until February. This means the young Scot will likely spend a couple of weeks preparing for the new season by practising in Dubai.

"I've still to work out exactly where I plan to play because the most important goal for me is to get on the European Tour in 2009," he said. "I have to plan the best way to get there and be careful not to fall between a number of stools. The good thing now, though, is I have options."

Saltman's friend, his fellow Open championship silver medallist and former Walker Cup colleague Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, did earn his card for the European Tour and has been tipped to qualify for the Ryder Cup team in his first full season. While no European golfer has made the transition from amateur status to Ryder Cup player at the first time of asking since Sergio Garcia in 1999 – the young Spaniard needed only five months to confirm his potential – the Scot sees no reason why the Irishman shouldn't be a contender.

Like Colin Montgomerie, who reckons McIlroy could breeze into the side unaware of the pressures in the match against the Americans which can handicap more experienced players, Saltman believes the Holywood golfer, who insists he has more pressing concerns on his mind than the Ryder Cup, won't be affected one way or the other by such high expectations.

"To be honest, if you asked any top amateur who turned pro and won their card, they would be positive about challenging for the Ryder Cup team," he observed. "I know I would be if I'd made it. So, yes, I do think Rory can go on and achieve that. It would be a fantastic start for him if he could pull it off. It's a possibility, so why not go for it?

"What I would say is it won't bother him what other people say or the expectations they have. He's the kind of guy who isn't affected by what people think of him. He's a lad who just gets on with things."

by Mike Aitken

The Scotsman, 1st January 2008

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Saltman--sets-off-for.3631497.jp

Saltman's Eastern promise provides Asian Tour ticket

2007-12-17T04:58:00.000+00:00

LLOYD Saltman's professional career was given a timely boost in Malaysia yesterday when he secured a place on next season's Asian Tour.
The 22-year-old Craigielaw rookie, who failed in his bid for a European Tour card last month, enjoyed success in the Far East when he closed with a two-over 74 in the qualifying school final for a six-under aggregate of 282.

Saltman, sitting in the top 12 heading into the last day, ran up an eight at the 15th but despite slipping down the rankings he still finished in a tie for 31st and gained one of the 40 tour cards up for grabs.

As Saltman celebrated, his big brother Elliot endured final hole agony as he missed out on qualifying by two shots. The 25-year-old had been on course for a card teeing-up on the 18th but his drive hit a cart path and bounced out of bounds. Elliot, a winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour earlier this year, took a damaging double-bogey and signed for a one-under 71 for a three-under 285.

Dubai-based Scottish duo, Ross Bain and Simon Dunn, enjoyed better fortune as they qualified on the 283 limit. At the head of the field, Malaysian Ben Leong closed with a two-under 70 for an 18-under 270 and topped the qualifying standings for the second year in a row.

Former Walker Cup player Rhys Davies (276) and two-time European Tour winner Mark Mouland (279) were also among the card winners.

By Bob Elliot

The Scotsman 16th December 2007

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf/Saltman39s-Eastern-promise-provides-Asian.3594714.jp

Asian Tour cards in sight for Saltmans

2007-12-12T08:25:00.000+00:00

LLOYD and Elliot Saltman begin their quest for an Asian Tour card in the qualifying school final at the Sutera Harbour and Sabah courses in Malaysia today.

Lloyd, 22, was already exempt into the closing stage while 25-year-old Elliot will head into the 72-hole shoot-out in confident mood having progressed past stage one of the process last weekend.

The Saltman siblings form part of a 189-strong field battling for 40 tour places on offer. They will be joined in the qualifying scramble by fellow Scots Simon Dunn and Ross Bain, as well as the 1999 Open championship runner-up, Jean Van de Velde, who has switched his focus to Asia with his family now based in Hong Kong.

Other players competing this week include Rhys Davies, David Horsey, Mark Mouland and Michael Hoey.

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman 12 December 2007

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=1936062007

ELLIOT SALTMAN JOINS BROTHER LLOYD

2007-12-08T11:05:00.000+00:00

Both Elliot Saltman and his older brother Lloyd will play in next week's Asian Tour Final Qualifying School.

Lloyd was given exemption through to the final stage but Elliot had to battle his way through a Stage 1 eliminator at Borneo Golf & Country Club this past week.
Elliot did it with nothing to spare. His rounds were 74, 69, 71 and 70 for a four-under-par total of 284. He finished joint 18th, right on the limit mark for qualifying. A total of 19 players on 284 or better made it through to the Final Stage.

Fellow Scots John McKenzie and Jack Doherty failed to make it. McKenzie scored 72, 79, 70 and 72 for joint 40th place on 293.

Doherty had a bad last round when a good one would have got him through. Jack scorted 75, 71, 72 and 77 for 295 and joint 50th place.

England’s Gregg Blainey and American Mark Baldwin earned medallist honours at the two venues today.

Blainey carded a four-under-par 68 in the final round to win at Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club while Baldwin also carded a similar round to finish on top of the leaderboard at Borneo Golf and Country Club.

A total of 40 players progressed into the all-important Final Stage next week where 40 Asian Tour cards will be at stake.

TOTALS
BORNEO G&CC
Par 288 (4 x 72)
+19 players with totals of 284 or better qualified for next week's Final Q School.
272 M Baldwin (US) 69 71 64 68, P Cooke (Australia) 66 68 69 69.
273 G Davies (England) 68 68 65 72.
276 R Gallichan (Australia) 69 70 69 68.
278 P Richardson (England) 73 67 71 67, Wu Ashin (China) 73 69 68 69.
Other qualifier for Final Q School:
284 E Saltman (Scotland) 74 69 71 70 (jt 18th).

from Scottish Golf View

Saltman fast-tracked to final of Asian q-school

2007-11-30T09:14:00.000+00:00

LLOYD SALTMAN'S bid for a place on the Asian Tour was given a boost today when he was handed an exemption into the final of the qualifying school.

The 22-year-old Craigielaw rookie fell at the second hurdle of the European circuit's qualifying process in Spain earlier this month.

As a result he has instead set his sights on making an impact in the Far East in order to secure a stage upon which he can ply his trade.

Saltman was originally told he would have to contest stage one of the process in Malaysia next week where only the leading 11 players from each of the two qualifying courses will progress to the 72-hole final.

Instead, however, Saltman's impressive CV from his time spent in the amateur ranks has convinced tour chiefs to fast-track him into the closing stage in a fortnight where he will battle it out for one of the 40 tour cards on offer. Saltman, whose older brother Elliot will have to go through stage one, said: "This is a huge boost and it takes a lot of the pressure off.

"I had asked them why I wasn't in the final as there are other players who got straight in on their amateur records.

"They've gone through my CV again and I finally got an e-mail to tell me I was in.

"Now I can really go for it over 72 holes and hopefully take advantage of this chance.

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman 29 November 2007

This article: http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=1871702007

Saltman off to Far East for Asia q-school

2007-11-29T08:57:00.000+00:00

LOTHIANS golfer Lloyd Saltman today insisted he is willing to become a globe-trotter in a bid to get his pro career up and running.

The Craigielaw rookie will fly to Malaysia on Saturday to take part in stage one of the Asian Tour's qualifying school next week. Saltman fell at the second hurdle of the European circuit's qualifying process earlier this month.

But the 22-year-old remains determined to secure a stage upon which he can ply his trade and has now set his sights on making an impact in the Far East.

Saltman, who will be joined in the qualifying scramble by older brother Elliot, is set to line-up at the Sutera Harbour club in Malaysia early next week where the leading finishers after 72 holes will progress to the final stage over the same venue in mid-December

"I said after I missed out on a European card that I would be willing to travel as there are so many opportunities to play somewhere," admitted the former Open silver medal winner. "Things have not happened for me in the pro game as quickly as I would've liked but this is another chance."

Saltman, who has eight invites to events on next season's Challenge Tour and is hopeful of gaining further starts on the main European circuit, had thought his glittering amateur record would have secured him a passage straight into the Asian Q-school final but organisers have informed him he will have to battle it out in the opening stage.

He added: "It's a bit strange as there are already some players with good amateur careers who are straight into the final. The important thing is to secure a tour to play on and I have to seize the opportunity."

by Nick Rodger

The Scotsman Wed 28 November: http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=1864862007

Any time, any place, pledges Saltman after Tour setback

2007-11-13T12:04:00.000+00:00

ONLY a matter of months into his professional career, Lloyd Saltman vowed yesterday "to chase my tail around the world" in an effort to find places to play in 2008 after missing out on a chance to win a card on the European Tour at the weekend.

Although understandably disappointed by his failure to progress beyond stage two of the Tour's qualifying school and earn a spot in the final which gets underway at San Roque on Thursday, Saltman and his father, Jack, who manages his career, are already looking to make the most of the seven or eight invitations the golfer hopes to receive for Challenge Tour events next season.

Had he made it through to the final stage of Tour school qualifying, Saltman would have been rewarded with a category to play on the nursery circuit. Now one of Scotland's most promising golfers will have to rely on the goodwill of promoters.

In the unlikely event that playing opportunities dry up for the young Scot in Europe, Saltman, 22, is fortunate to have the backing of a group of sponsors and will head for Asia or Africa if he gets the chance to play on other continents.

The Saltmans were checking out yesterday whether or not Lloyd's exemplary amateur career would earn him an exemption into the final stage of the Asian Tour's qualifying school at Sutera Harbour in Malaysia from 12-15 December. Simon Yates is one Scot who has already built a career in Asia.

"I will go where I need to go when the opportunities come along and chase my tail around the world if I have to do that," said Saltman. "Of course it was disappointing to miss out at the week-end, but when I turned professional in September, no-one told me it would be easy. The important thing is to make the most of any invitations I get next year. Hopefully, there will be seven or eight for the Challenge Tour.

"When I played in the Scottish Challenge at Cardrona in the summer as an amateur, I finished fourth and that finish would have been good enough to earn me playing rights on the Challenge Tour if I'd been a professional. So I need to keep my chin up and make the most of my chances. You've only got to look at how well Marc Warren has done since graduation from the Challenge Tour to appreciate that it can be a tremendous grounding for the rest of your career."

Having already finished 15th at the Open as an amateur - he attended the prize-giving at St Andrews in 2005 with Tiger Woods - and twice represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup match against the United States, Saltman, ranked as the world's No2 amateur earlier this year, has the kind of pedigree which suggests he will make an impact on the professional game eventually.

"Perhaps things are not going to happen for me as quickly as I would have liked," he added. "But I've only been a professional for a matter of months and I know I mustn't get down on myself too much. There will be other chances.

"That's why it's important to sit down with my dad and people that I trust to figure out the best way to go next. There's light at the end of the tunnel and I have to keep faith in my own ability. What happened at qualifying school was a big setback. But it will happen for me eventually as a professional, I'm sure of that.

"I'm young and fit and ready to sit beside the phone on Sundays and wait for the call to get on a plane on Monday morning to go wherever I need to go to play."

While Saltman can only watch from the sidelines later this week, 156 golfers will tee up over the Old and New courses at final qualifying over San Roque from 15-20 November in a six-round examination which will identify the next intake of 30 graduates for the 2008 European Tour.

No fewer than 15 Scots will take part in this gruelling, nerve-shredding exercise, including former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart, former BMW PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn and past Tour winners Raymond Russell and Dean Robertson.

The other hopefuls from the home of golf battling for a place to play next season are Richie Ramsay, George Murray, Eric Ramsay, Jamie McLeary, Andrew McArthur, Craig Lee, Jason McCreadie, Steven O'Hara, Alan McLean and Euan Little.

Mike Aitken

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=1795292007

Setback for Saltman's professional plans

2007-11-12T23:43:00.000+00:00

LLOYD Saltman's professional career plans suffered a huge early blow in Spain at the weekend when the Craigielaw rookie failed to progress past stage two of the European Tour's qualifying school.

The 22-year-old, who joined the paid ranks after September's Walker Cup, closed with a one-over-par 73 at Arcos Gardens but his level-par aggregate of 288 was only good enough for a share of 25th, three shots outside a top-20 spot needed to secure a place in next week's final. Saltman's exit means he will now have to rely on invites next season and may have to build his career on the third-level PGA EuroPro circuit.

As Saltman missed out, David Drysdale's bid to regain the tour card he lost this year stayed on course as he eased through at the PGA Golf de Catalunya. The 32-year-old, who finished 195th on the order of merit after an injury-plagued season, fired a two-under 70 for a six-under 282 and claimed eighth spot behind winner, Gabriel Canizares of Spain.

Buchanan Castle pro Jason McCreadie, the two-times Northern Open champion, also progressed in a share of ninth on 283 after a closing 73.

Tartan Tour pro Craig Lee and fellow Scot Graham Fox both advanced at Costa Ballena but Duncan Stewart, Graeme Brown, Eddie Thomson and Elliot Saltman all failed to make the grade. At Sherry Golf Jerez, Euan Little survived a tense three-man play-off to claim the final qualifying spot.

Nick Rodger

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=1789662007

Saltman Leads UBS Edinburgh Team to Pro-Am Glory

2007-10-09T18:01:00.000+01:00

Recently turned professional Lloyd Saltman yesterday became the first winner of the UBS Great Scottish Pro-Am when he led the team from UBS Edinburgh to victory at the Fairmont St Andrews.

The former Scotland star partnered team members Scott Young, John Hall and Robbie Brown to a tally of 86 stableford points on the Torrance Course, which included five birdies on Saltman’s card.

The team from Allied Surveyors – sponsors of the Scottish Amateur Championship – came second on 84 points, led by former PGA Champion Scott Drummond playing the course for the first time. The Anglo Scot racked up six birdies alongside playing partners Ian Thomson, Greig Dochard and Craig Nicol to clinch the runners-up spot.

Scotland Boys international Michael Stewart proved he can mix it with the big boys by guiding his team from the Scottish Golf Media to third place, also on 84 points, pipped only on the better inward half. Recent Challenge Tour winner Peter Whiteford drove his Fife team mates from Dunfermline Building Society into fourth place on 83 points, edging out Sam Torrance’s UBS guests also on the better inward half.

The inaugural UBS Great Scottish Pro-Am field attracted many of Scotland’s other leading lights, including Marc Warren, Alastair Forsyth, Richie Ramsay and Clare Queen, helping to raise significant sums of money to be invested into junior golf in Scotland.

Scottish Golf Union Chief Executive Hamish Grey was delighted with the first Pro-Am event:

“I am thrilled with the success of the first ever UBS Great Scottish Pro-Am and we hope that we can establish this as a permanent fixture in the golfing calendar. The SGU is extremely grateful to the many leading professionals who gave up their time to support junior golf in Scotland.”

“We are fortunate to have so many great role models in Scottish golf and the money raised today will go some way to helping nurture more talented young golfers and encouraging more youngsters to take up the game. UBS have played a great part in supporting this event and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Leading scores from the Fairmont St Andrews, Torrance Course:

1. UBS EDINBURGH 3 – LLOYD SALTMAN 86

2. ALLIED SURVEYORS – SCOTT DRUMMOND 84

3. SCOTTISH GOLF MEDIA – MICHAEL STEWART (A) 84

4. DUNFERMLINE BUILDING SOCIETY – PETER WHITEFORD 83

5. UBS EDINBURGH 1 – SAM TORRANCE 83

6. UBS EDINBURGH 5 – WALLACE BOOTH (A) 82

7. UBS EDINBURGH 6 – KEVIN MCALPINE 81

8. UBS BIRMINGHAM – ELLIOT SALTMAN 81

9. DUNDAS & WILSON – RICHIE RAMSAY 81

10. UBS MANCHESTER 2 – ALASTAIR FORSYTH 78

11. EDINBURGH AUDI – ANDREW MCARTHUR 77

12. UBS EDINBURGH 4 – CLARE QUEEN 76

http://www.scottishgolfunion.org/Index.cfm?action=newsdetail&newsid=797

Saltman brings home the bacon

2007-09-30T18:36:00.000+01:00

JACK Saltman and his boy, Lloyd, are discussing the finer points of diet over a breakfast of bacon rolls in the clubhouse at Craigielaw. Jack is remembering a piece of advice Gary Player once gave about the threat of the humble rasher, cautionary words directed at golf's new generation from one of the game's legends. "Gary said this stuff is no good for you," says Jack, holding up the offending bun. "He said he gave up this kind of food - when he was in his 60s! So he won how many majors when he was a bacon eater?"

Jack and Lloyd have a little laugh. You sense they do that a lot. "Dad is the funniest golfer you ever saw," says Lloyd.

"I'm not the best," chuckles Jack.

"One time, we were on the range and he had a full top; chopped down on the ball and it popped up in the air and he caught it. It was hilarious."

"It's true. People would pay a lot of money to see that though."

"Another time, he had a heel shank. It was the most incredible shot you've ever seen. It hit my brother Elliot straight in the throat. Dad was there laughing his head off and Elliot was going 'aaarrggghhh!'"

"Aye, I've no patience. I can't be doing with it."

They're an unlikely duo, these two. Lloyd is 6ft 2in and an athlete, dad is 5ft-something and, er, a character. Jack might know nothing about the mechanics of the golf swing but then again he doesn't need to. He is his son's manager, not his coach. Doesn't matter that he tops golf balls up his nostrils on the range. In the world of business he is doing just fine. Lloyd turned pro only a few short weeks ago and he did it with a nice security blanket stuffed with notes wrapped around him. Some heavyweight sponsors are with him, all brought on board by his father, a one-man operation as opposed to the behemoth of IMG and the other giant management companies that were keen to get a piece of his son.

Lloyd's first European Tour event as a pro was last week's British Masters at the Belfry (his second is at the Dunhill Links this week). He told journalists that when he stood up on the first tee at 7.30am on the Thursday morning, nothing felt different. No added pressure, no great shock at entering a new and unforgiving world. They asked how could that be. "I've always looked on my family as my team," he says. "My folks and my brothers, Elliot [the eldest] and Zack [the youngest]. Familiarity is a great thing. From the Walker Cup one week to turning pro the next, there was no great change. I put on some shirts with some logos and that was it. There was no alteration to my schedule, nobody insisting I go here and there to meet people.

"Before I turned [pro] we had talks with IMG and with Chubby [Chandler] just to hear what they were saying. They're fantastic companies who do really well for their players but I'm more comfortable with my father. We just decided between us to give it a go and see what happens. We're both only learning our trade but he's doing fantastically well."

Lloyd is an engaging 22-year-old. He looks and acts like a pro and has done for some years. He talks well and time and again he brings the conversation back to his family and to the importance of his brothers, a close-knit trio driving each other on since they were in short trousers. Elliot is a professional himself, operating for the moment on the Europro tour, where he recently won his first tournament and a 10-grand cheque that takes him to within touching distance of a top five on the Order of Merit. If he breaks through he gets a card for the Challenge Tour next season, a small but significant step to experiencing the big time.

Zack is only 18 but he's driven. The next Walker Cup is his goal. "I'll tell you about Zack," says Lloyd. "We host the World Hickory Open here at Craigielaw. Zack won it in 2006. I shot 79, he shot 67. I came in off the course and looked at his score and thought 'you've got to be joking me Zack, that is sick!' Ask the lads in the club about Zack and they'll tell you how hard he works. They call him the white Vijay because of the amount of hours he spends on the range. All the time it's 'tokens, tokens, tokens'."

Not to be outdone, Lloyd won this year's Hickory Open on Friday, and he admits the fraternal rivalry spurs him on.

"I don't see as much of Elliot now because he's on tour but we talk all the time. The week he won he shot 65 in the final round to make the play-off and finished it off from there. I was chuffed. As kids we always wanted to beat each other and the competition was fierce but we've always rooted for each other in competition. We'd play rounds with a few pounds on the line and there was plenty of chat I can tell you. I think we toughened each other up."

A strong mental attitude is what it's all about now. Saltman missed the cut at the Belfry but he's rationalised his week there. Two double bogeys and two triples did for him. Four bad holes and he was out. Not once did he feel out of place, though. On the practice ground one morning Paul McGinley went over to him, shook his hand and wished him well in his career. He appreciated the gesture.

"Paul didn't have to do that but he did it and I'll always remember it. I got a major buzz out of that to be honest." There'll be more of that this week. Jack says that Ian Botham has asked for Saltman to be in his team at the Dunhill, an event played on courses where the young man has many fond memories, not least St Andrews where he shot to prominence in winning the Silver Medal at the 2005 Open. After the Dunhill, it's off to Spain in November for Q-school. Elliot will be with him. Jack, too. Their pursuit of a card for next season is their priority, the thing they are most focused on.

"We've got some big weeks coming up," says Lloyd. Make that months and years. Nobody is expecting miracles from him just yet but you'd have to walk down a lot of fairways to find somebody who doubts his ability to make it in this game. The Saltmans are coming. Watch out.

TOM ENGLISH

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