Golf: More joy for Saltman family as Lloyd wins Condado Open

Published on Friday 19 March 2010 09:04

LOTHIANS golfer Elliot Saltman was today celebrating a family double on Spanish soil after his victory in the Hi5 Pro Tour's Polaris Condado Open.

The Archerfield pro followed up younger brother Lloyd's win on the Murcia-based mini-circuit last week with a five-shot triumph of his own yesterday as his build-up to the new season was given a major lift.

Saltman, 27, harnessed the testing conditions with a one-over 73 for a two-over 218 and a commanding win over Michael Collins, Brad Clapp, Fredrik Hammarberg and Andreas Hogberg. The Aegon ace had been sharing the lead with a round to play but slipped off the top with a three-over front nine. Saltman hit back on the closing stretch, however, and came home in two-under to coast over the winning line

It was Elliot's second title in the paid ranks following his breakthrough win on the PGA EuroPro Tour back in 2007.

His youngest brother, Zack, signed off with a battling 72 but finished well down the order on a 230.

Meanwhile, Prestonpans pro Raymond Russell was sitting in a share of fourth place heading into the third round of the Allianz Tour's 45,000 French International at Golf d'Hossegor. The former European Tour winner, who began day two in a tie for the lead, added a one-under 70 to his opening 65 for a seven-under 135 and finished three behind French pacesetter, Fabien Marty.

&#149 MUSSELBURGH'S Vikki Laing hit top form with six birdies in a terrific four under par 68 and was just one off the lead after the first round of the Lalla Meryem Cup In Morocco.

Laing, 29, is in her second season on the Ladies European Tour – she finished 53rd on the Order of Merit as a rookie last year – dropped a shot at the first but then hit back with six birdies and only dropped one more shot.

Russia's Maria Verchenova had eight birdies to stand alone at the top on 67.

Laing was delighted with her all-round play. "I was hitting my driver really well," she said. "I had a lot of wedges into greens and hit a lot of shots close. I also felt pretty comfortable with my putter."

The only Scot to have won on the US Futures Tour back in 2007, Laing had a best finish of 15th on the LET at a tournament in China last year, while she had a top 20 finish last month at the ANZ Ladies' Masters in Australia.

Archerfield's Lynn Kenny had a slightly disappointing 75.