Peruvian Salem has a ball at St Andrews

PATRICIO Salem made a sparkling debut on Scottish soil as he finished among the front runners during round one of the St Andrews Links Trophy yesterday.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Jun 2010, 02:47 BST

Updated 5th Jun 2010, 02:50 BST

The 22-year-old from Lima in Peru shrugged off his lack of links golf experience and carved out a five-under 67 over the menacing Jubilee course to share second, one behind Danish leader, Daniel Lokke, who emerged from the second last group with a fine 66.

Salem completed a scholarship at Lynn University in Florida and was encouraged to travel to the home of golf by Eisenhower Trophy winner Gavin Dear and former Links Trophy champion Keir McNicoll, the Scots duo who were at the same US college.

"This has been my first taste of links golf and it's been everything that I expected," said Salem.