Back-nine blitz puts Lloyd Saltman in lead

LLOYD Saltman put the controversy surrounding his older brother Elliot to one side as he stormed home in seven-under-par 29 to take a four-shot lead after the opening round of the Hacienda De Alamo Open on the Spanish Hi5 Tour.

As Elliot, who has been banned for three months by the European Tour after being found guilty of cheating but was given the green light to play in this independent third-tier event, shot a 73, Lloyd's stunning back nine earned him a 65.

He is using the 25,000 eventto keep his game ticking over ahead of a return to the European Tour in India in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, James Byrne tees off his final semester in US college golf in Hawaii today with his Arizona State University team-mates at the Amer Ari Invitational.

And the Banchory player said: "It is very important to make a strong finish, not just because of the Walker Cup but also personally," said the Banchory player,.

"I've not won a tournament yet in the States. I would like to show that I am just as capable of playing well over here."

Byrne, 22, who is ranked No 17 in the world, has the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen in September firmly in his sights before switching to the paid ranks in America later in the year.