Golf: Lloyd Saltman looking good after impressive day at school

The former Open silver medal winner fired a three-under 69 over the tough Stadium course for a five-under 137 as he cemented his place in the top ten at PGA Catalunya in Girona.

Following his stellar amateur career, Saltman has found the transistion to the pro game tough after joining the paid ranks in 2007 but the 25-year-old is confident his career is on the right track.

"Everything about my game and my mental approach is improving and I feel I'm close to being the whole package," said Saltman, who laid the foundations for his score with four birdies on his opening seven holes.

"I knew it would be tough and I thought anything under-par would be good so I'm very happy."

Saltman's older brother Elliot, sharing fourth after an opening 66, saw his challenge suffer a blow with a triple-bogey eight on the third.

But he showed his fighting qualities and salvaged a one-under 71, that was aided by an eagle putt of 30 feet on the 12th, as he finished alongside Lloyd on the five- under mark.

"It was one of those days when all the good work of the opening round could've been undone," said Elliot.

"But I battled on and have to be pleased with the result."

Prestonpans pro Raymond Russell, looking to build on a solid one-under opening round, was left cursing his putting as he slipped to a three-over 75 on the Stadium course for a two-over 144.

The former European Tour winner, who already has a low category card for the main circuit after finishing 19th on the Challenge Tour rankings, was one-under to the turn but four three-putts on the back-nine hindered his progress.

"That's six three putts in the first two rounds and things like that don't help," said Russell. Edinburgh-based Andrew Coltart had a level-par 70 on the Tour course for a 145 while another Capital man, Jamie McLeary, sagged to a 75 for 146.