Golf: Saltman makes charge after hitting 67 at Africa Open
The 28-year-old, playing in only his second event since securing a European Tour card at the Qualifying School in Spain, earned a share of second place in the clubhouse after firing a six-under-par 67.
Out in two-under after starting at the ninth, Saltman sparked his surge with an eagle-3 at the third - his 13th - before adding two birdies over the closing stretch. "I played really well, hitting 15 greens in regulation," the Aegon player told the Evening News. "My eagle came courtesy of a 5-iron that I hit stiff."
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Hide AdThe week after passing the Qualifying School test in Spain, Saltman, who has still to face a European Tour hearing over his disqualification from last season's Russian Challenge Cup, missed the cut in the South African Open. But a family holiday in the Canary Islands over the festive period gave him the chance to re-charge his batteries ahead of the first European Tour event of 2011.
"It was nice to have time off as I needed the break," added Saltman, who was lying just a shot behind the leader, South African Brandon Pieters, as 24 players returned to the course first thing this morning to complete their opening rounds.
Making it a good day for the Saltman family, brother Lloyd also made a promising start in the Eastern Cape event with a five-under-par 67.
Out earlier in the day, he was convinced he was going to earn the family bragging rights when Elliot reached the eighth - his ninth hole - at two-under but didn't mind finishing the day a shot behind his sibling.
"It's a great start for both of us, especially when you consider we've not played much since the South African Open in Durban," said the 25-year-old.
Cockburnspath-based David Drysdale was also poised to be in a good position heading into the second round. Taking up where he'd left off when finishing eighth and then 23rd in the two South African events before Christmas, the 35-year-old opened his bid with a three-under-par 70. Drysdale signed for six birdies in matching a score that was also posted by Alastair Forsyth.