Lloyd Saltman to fore as Michael Hoey wins

Lloyd Saltman continued to make his mark on the European Tour with a share of fourth in the Madeira Islands Open at Porto Santo yesterday.

The Archerfield rookie, who earned his tour card at last December's qualifying school, closed with a two-under 70 for a six-under 282 and finished four shots behind Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey, who won his second European crown with a 71 for 278.

Saltman, who has made seven cuts in nine events on the main circuit this season, picked up a cheque for 26,158 for his best finish of the campaign and moved up to 104th on the Race to Dubai rankings. Paisley's Alastair Forysth, who won the Madeira title in 2008, saw his hopes dashed with a closing 75 for 284. The 35-year-old, two shots off the pace with a round to play, slipped back into a tie for 10th after a round marred by a double-bogey six on the 11th.

Andrew Coltart hit a 68 for 289 with Jamie McLeary a shot further back on 290 after a 71. George Murray (293) and Chris Doak (294) both finished well down the field

Hoey, who had shared the overnight lead with Englishman Jamie Elson, added to his score with birdies at the eighth and 14th holes. His only blemish came with a dropped shot on the par-three 13th, but a final round of 71 saw him finish clear of his rivals on 10 under for the tournament.

Elson had to settle for a share of second place with compatriot Chris Gane after posting three birdies against four bogeys on the final day. Gane enjoyed a strong finish with three birdies on the back nine lifting his score to one under for the day and eight under overall.

Italy's Frederico Colombo led a group of three players tied for fourth on six under. Colombo produced one of the rounds of the day with seven birdies, but a double bogey on the par-four fourth marred his final round of 67.

Home favourite Jose-Filipe Lima finished level with Colombo following a four-under 68, including three birdies over the back nine, while Saltman completed the trio with his two under.

Further down the field, Englishman Simon Wakefield missed out on becoming the first player to shoot a 59 on the European Tour.

The 37-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme needed an eagle at the par-five last to achieve the feat, but a double-bogey seven meant he carded a 63, which left him one under par for the tournament.