Golf: Saltman sits six strokes off the pace in Kazakhstan

ELLIOT SALTMAN was six shots off the lead going into today's second round of the Kazakhstan Open.

The Archerfield Links man bagged six birdies as he fired an opening two-under-par 70 in the money-spinning Challenge Tour event.

Scott Jamieson was leading the Scottish challenge after a 69, three less than Raymond Russell.

Saltman's younger brother Lloyd, who missed out on a place in the Kazakhstan event, also had six strokes to make up going into the final round of the Brooks Bros Classic on the EuroPro Tour.

He's had opening rounds of 70 and 68 at Five Lakes, where Zack, the other Saltman sibling, also made the cut on 139, as did Lee Harper on 140.

On the European Tour, Stephen Gallacher marked his return after a week off by carding a 71 in the KLM Open at Hilversumsche.

He was nine shots off the pace, with David Drysdale having even more ground to make up after an opening 72.

Musselburgh's Vikki Laing was also back in action on the Ladies European Tour yesterday after missing last week's event in Austria to attend a friend's wedding.

After dropping three shots in the last three holes, she shot a 74 to find herself eight shots adrift of the pacesetter.