Elliot Saltman stays in contention for Tour win at only second attempt

The 28-year-old, playing in only his second event since securing a card at last month's Qualifying School in Spain, shot a second-round 71 at the Eastern Cape venue for an eight-under-par total of 137. He's lying in seventh spot, two shots behind three co-leaders - South African Branden Grace, Marcus Brier of Austria and England's Miles Tunnicliff.

Saltman was in a share of the lead on ten-under after picking up four shots in his opening 16 holes before following a bogey-4 at the short 17th with a 5 at the last but, nonetheless, was pleased with his work so far in the €1 million event.

"I played really well. It's a shame that I bogeyed the last two holes, by which time the wind was really blowing, but I am delighted to be eight-under after two rounds," said the Archerfield Links man. "My iron play is really strong just now and I'm putting really well, too, having taken up where I left off at Tour School."

Saltman, who has still to face a European Tour hearing over his disqualification from last season's Russian Challenge Cup, was joined in the final two rounds by brother Lloyd (144) as well as Steven O'Hara (143), Alastair Forsyth and Marc Warren (both 146).

"To be honest, I'm not thinking about winning at the moment," added Saltman, who cut his professional teeth on the PGA EuroPro Tour. "If I can get to 14-under or thereabouts on Sunday, I will be quite happy.

"I'm feeling at home out here, though in truth it still feels a bit like playing on the Challenge Tour. I have to keep reminding myself that players like Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel are in the field.

"I'm treating it like any other tournament and am just enjoying myself. However, it would be good to get a few quid in the bank early doors as, like other players who came through the Tour School, I'll probably be facing a break when the desert run comes."

Saltman, who has chalked up 15 birdies and an eagle in his opening two rounds, said he will be trying to keep things as straightforward as possible in the final 36 holes, something that has been hammered home to him since he started working with coach Bob Torrance. "Bob tries to keep things simple with me and I'm trying to adopt the same attitude here. I don't want to myself under any pressure," said the Scot.

O'Hara, who finished 113th on last year's money list to retain his playing privileges, leapt into the top 30 after a second-round 71 on a day when gusty conditions made scoring more difficult than on the opening day.

Lloyd Saltman, who had started out alongside his older brother in the top 10 after an opening 68, slipped to a tie for 42nd after requiring eight shots more on his second circuit. The 25-year-old got off to a poor start by dropping shots at his opening three holes, repaired the damage in the middle of the round but then bogeyed both the 16th and 18th.

"Lloyd was disappointed with his start but grinded it out after that and is also pleased to have made the cut," reported his sibling.

Warren (75) and Forsyth (76) will also be pleased to be around for the final two rounds, the duo badly needing a confidence boost after losing their cards at the end of last season and then failing at the Qualifying School.

Open champion Oosthuizen is handily placed, the South African firing a 67 to sit just a shot behind the three leaders, but two-time US Open champion Goosen missed the cut on two-over after a 73.

Despite being five-under for the tournament after four holes of his second round, David Drysdale also missed out, the Cockburnspath man dropping eight shots thereafter as he shot a 79 for 149.

There were early exits as well for Scott Jamieson (82 for 153), George Murray (78 for 159) and Scott Drummond (83 for 161).