Golf: Birdie feast sets Saltman up nicely

A SPARKLING round of 65 saw in-form Elliot Saltman secure a share of second place on day one of the ALLIANZ Golf Open de Lyon on the European Challenge Tour.

Saltman, runner-up at the recent Fred Olsen Challenge de Espaa, struck six birdies in a flawless round to finish on six-under-par, level with Sweden's Oscar Floren and one shot behind leader Marcus Higley.

Had his putter been as hot as the temperatures at Golf du Gouverneur in Lyon, France, Saltman might have held the outright lead. But the Aegon player was still pleased with a round which saw him continue an encouraging run of recent results.

He said: "I probably left a fair few shots out there, because I missed four putts from within about eight feet, which has probably been a bit of a weakness of mine. But I suppose you can't hole every putt."

Other Scots who performed admirably included Scott Jamieson, who signed for a two-under-par round of 69, one better than his compatriots Jamie McLeary, Jack Doherty and Callum Macaulay. Raymond Russell had a 71.