Saltman and Montgomerie paired together at Gullane

ARCHERFIELD ace Zack Saltman will face the biggest test of his career in the company of eight-time European Tour No.1 Colin Montgomerie.

The pair have been drawn together in next Tuesday’s Open local final qualifier at Gullane – the last chance for the majority of players to play at Muirfield.

Saltman, the youngest of three golfing brothers, secured his spot in the 36-hole event through Monday’s regional qualifier near Newcastle.

And he hit the jackpot when the draws came out last night for the final qualifying, which also takes place at Dunbar, Musselburgh and North 
Berwick.

Kings Acre’s Andrew Oldcorn, winner of the regional qualifier at Bruntsfield Links, is also in the field at Gullane.

So, too, is Lee Harper, the former Scottish Boys’ champion from Musselburgh who is now based in Thailand but is attached to Archerfield.

Bidding to repeat their success at the same stage four years ago, Elliot and Lloyd Saltman are at Dunbar and Musselburgh respectively.

The Dunbar line-up also includes Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest, who secured an exemption into the final stage through his World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Another Craigielaw hopeful, David Laing, will stage his bid to play in the world’s oldest major at North Berwick, as will Gareth Wright (West Linton), Jamie McLeary (Dalmahoy) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre).

Star attractions at Musselburgh are likely to be former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin and two-time European Tour winner Christian Cevaer.

Only three spots will be up for grabs at each of the four venues so spectators – entry is free – can expect some low-scoring.

The play starts at all the courses at 6.30am with the final groups not due to head out for their second rounds until 4.05pm.

nMIDLOTHIAN are on the verge of retaining the East Women’s Inter-Division title after crushing East Lothian 8-1 in the second round of matches at Glenbervie.