Golf: Elliot takes route 66 in Catalunya

Lothians golfer Elliot Saltman made a flying start to the European Tour's qualifying school final - then vowed to learn from brother Lloyd's tough Spanish lesson a couple of years ago.

Having been left kicking his heels on Saturday when play at PGA Catalunya in Girona was abandoned due to frost, Archerfield ace Saltman burst out of the blocks yesterday and fired a bogey-free four-under 66 over the Tour course to share fourth, three behind early leader Steve Lewton.

Saltman, a runner-up on Spanish soil on the Challenge Tour this year, is making his first appearance in the gruelling Q-school shoot-out.

And the 28-year-old admitted he won't be taking anything for granted as he reflected on Lloyd's crippling third-round 80 in the 2008 final which came after a promising start.

Elliot said: "My brother was here a couple of years and got off to a great start but then was eight over in round three so I've seen what can be done. Speaking to other people, it's a marathon not a sprint so four-under is great. I was aiming for 12-under for the tournament so this gives me some breathing space."

Saltman's younger brother Lloyd had no recurrence of that nightmare and posted a two-under 68.

Prestonpans man Raymond Russell, back at the Q-school to bolster his category for next year having earned promotion to the main circuit through the Challenge Tour rankings, birdied his final hole to sign for a one-under 69.

Edinburgh-based Jamie McLeary had to settle for a one-over 71 while Andrew Coltart will have to claw his way back from a three-over 75 on the Stadium course which he had during Saturday's disrupted opening day.