Golf: Saltman misses out in Classic play-off

Elliot Saltman was pipped for the £10,000 prize in a three-man play-off at the Astbury Hall Classic at the Cheshire venue.

The winner was Yorkshireman James Hepworth, who relegated Saltman and David Horsey to joint second place by sinking a 2ft birdie putt at the par-3 18th in the play-off.

Saltman, who had rounds of 67, 68 and 69, and Horsey earned £3,750 apiece.

Hepworth, Saltman and European Tour regular Horsey had finished the 54-hole event six-under-par to force the play-off.

Saltman’s youngest brother Zack finished joint 11th on 208 with rounds of 73, 68 and 67 for a two-under total of 208 round the par-70 circuit. He earned £725. Tartan Tour regular Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) finished the third-best Scot in joint 13th place on 209 with rounds of 72, 65 and 72. He earned £475.

Craig top Scot in senior championship

PGA SENIORS TOUR: Germany-based Stephen Craig finished the top Scot in joint sixth place in the Senior PGA Professional Championship won by Wraith Grant (Woodcote Park) at Northamptonshire County Golf Club yesterday.

Craig shot 73, 69 and 74 for a six-over-par total of 216 over the par-70 course. He earned £1,375.

Grant shot 72-68-72 for two-over 212 to pick up the £4,750 top prize by a shot from another Englishman Robert Ellis who earned £3,500 for rounds of 72, 69 and 72 for 213.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Tom Watson, the US Ryder Cup captain for next year’s match in Gleneagles, will be returning to this year’s Senior Open Championship, 30 years after winning the Open Championship at the Merseyside venue.

Gillis equals career best to go second

USPGA TOUR: Tom Gillis equalled his career best – and only missed bettering it by bogeying the 18th – as he vaulted himself into contention at the Byron Nelson Championship.

The 44-year-old shot a seven-under 63 to move to eight under after two rounds, two shots off overnight leader Keegan Bradley, who was a late starter on the second day of the tournament.

It might have been even better but, after putting himself in position to birdie the ninth – his final hole after starting on the back nine – Gillis three-putted. Bradley was overnight leader after shooting a course record 60 in his opening round, despite recording two bogeys, while Charl Schwartzel was second overnight on seven under. Ted Potter Jr, Harris English and Robert Karlsson had been tied for third.