Golf: Elliot seeks mental strength

ELLIOT SALTMAN was preparing to set out today trying to show he'd become mentally stronger in the space of a week.

The 28-year-old Craigielaw player shot an eight-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Fred Olsen Challenge de Espaa on the Canary Island of La Gomera.

Saltman also got off to a promising start in last week's Challenge Tour event before falling away – and he's determined it won't happen again.

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He said: "I went home after Morocco and worked on a few things, got mentally stronger and again played very solid today," he said.

Saltman's round, including six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh, matched the course record.

And he started out today with a two-stroke lead over Ireland's Colm Moriarty and a seven-shot cushion on brother Lloyd.

Meanwhile, Swanston New's John Gallagher, who had opened with a 67, slipped outside the top 20 after a second-round 73 in PGA EuroPro Tour's Northern Ireland Open.

Mark Kerr of Marriott Dalmahoy was a shot behind going into today's final round after a 71, while Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) made the cut on 143.

• LOTHIANS duo James Ross (Royal Burgess) and Mark Hillson (Craigielaw) had opening rounds of 76 and 79 respectively in the Brabazon Trophy in Liverpool.

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