Golf: Lloyd Saltman goes for route 66

LOTHIANS star Lloyd Saltman staged a storming finish to earn a share of second spot in the Brooks Bros Classic in Essex on the PGA EuroPro Tour.

The Aegon ace closed with a best-of-the-day 66 at Five Lakes for 12-under-par 204, one shot adrift of winner Paul Maddy.

With six other players finishing alongside him, Saltman picked up just under 2,000 but the performance will be a major confidence boost. Younger brother Zack finished in a tie for 16th on 208, with Lee Harper down the field on 214.

The other Saltman sibling, Elliot, is on course for a decent cheque in the money-spinning Kazakhstan Open this weekend. He shot a second-round 68 in the Challenge Tour event to lie in a tie for 35th at the halfway stage.

For the second day running, Saltman bagged six birdies and will now be looking for more of the same in the final two rounds.

Unfortunately for Raymond Russell, his event is over after missing the cut on 144 (72, 72).

On the Ladies' European Tour, Musselburgh's Vikki Laing made it to the final two rounds along with compatriot Krystle Caithness in the French Ladies' Open.

But, on four-over, the pair have a lot of ground to make up on joint-leaders Laura Davies and Caroline Masson.