Golf: Elliot maintains Challenge with a second-round 64

LOTHIANS golfer Elliot Saltman set out today aiming to become the second Scottish winner on the Challenge Tour in the space of three weeks.

The Archerfield Links player was in the field at Macdonald Spey Valley when Fifer George Murray won the Scottish Hydro Challenge a fortnight ago.

And, at the halfway stage in the Fred Olsen Challenge de Espaa, he was in strong position to emulate his compatriot.

Saltman powered his way to a five stroke lead at the halfway stage with a brilliant second-round 64. After posting a first-round 63, the Aegon-sponsored player put together another bogey-free round of five birdies and an eagle.

That gave him a 15-under-par halfway total and a five shot advantage over England's Jamie Little at Tecina Golf on La Gomera in the Canary Islands.

Saltman said: "My long game felt strong on the range and I went on to the course thinking about staying positive and happy.

"I wasn't nervous at all, was swinging really well and I think these are the two best rounds of my career so I'm delighted.

"Golf is a funny game and you can never predict it but I am feeling great."

Another Lothians golfer on the title trail is Raymond Russell after he shot a brilliant, spectacular 61 to storm into contention for his second Alps Tour title of the season. A winner in Spain back in April, Russell fired his 11-under score in round two of the Mirabelle International Open in France to power into a share of second on 11-under 133.

Russell, runner-up in the Mirabelle event last year, reeled off six birdies in an outward half of 29 as he finished a shot behind Spanish leader Juan Antonio Bragulat with 36-holes to play.

• SWANSTON NEW'S John Gallagher closed with a 70 to finish in a tie for 23rd on six-under in the Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Tour Open. Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) and Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) both closed with 72s for 213 and 215 respectively.

• LOTHIANS duo James Ross (Royal Burgess) and Mark Hillson (Craigielaw) both made the cut in the Brabazon Trophy at Hoylake. Ross shot a 73 for 149, one fewer than Hillson after his second-round 71.

• EX-KINGSKNOWE pro Andrew Marshall claimed his first Tartan Tour win of the season in the Kirkhill Centenary Pro-Am. Now at the Houston Golf Range in West Lothian, Marshall shot a five-under 65 and landed the 1,154 first prize by two shots from Paul McKechnie, Stuart Williamson and Scott Henderson.