Saltman brothers battle into qualifying final

Lloyd and Elliot Saltman took a step towards teaming up on the European Tour as they survived stage two of the qualifying school in Spain last night.

Former Open silver medal winner Lloyd closed with a three-over 75 in tough conditions at Costa Ballena in Jerez for a three-under 285 and shared 15th place alongside fellow Scot Jack Doherty, with the top 23 progressing to this weekend's final.

Saltman's older brother Elliot signed off with a one-over 73 at Hacienda Del Alamo in Murcia and held on to the 21st of 23 qualifying spots on offer with a five-under 283. Doherty and the Saltman siblings were the only players from a 20-strong tartan contingent to overcome the second stage hurdle although Scottish PGA champion Chris Doak could boost that tally today when he completes his fourth round at Arcos Gardens after play was abandoned due to heavy rain.

Craig Lee, who played on the main tour in 2008, had to settle for the 11th reserve spot at Hacienda Del Alamo after a two-under 70 left him one shot outside the qualifying zone on a 285. Wallace Booth failed to make the grade on 291 while former Challenge Tour winners Eric Ramsay (295) and Andrew McArthur (296) will have to go back to the drawing board after finishing down the field.

John Gallagher toppled out of the top 23 at Costa Ballena with a crippling 81 while at El Valle Tartan Tour pro Graham Fox also slumped out of the qualifying places with a closing five-over 76 and missed the mark by three shots on a three-over 287. Keir McNicoll (292), Callum Macaulay (295) and Gavin Dear (298) all finished well out of the running.

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