Saltman brothers still have work to do in Q-School bid

BROTHERS Elliot and Lloyd Saltman were both lying outside the cut mark heading into today’s third round of the European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

The leading 70 players and ties after 72 holes progress to the final two rounds, meaning the Saltmans had work to do in order to keep alive their hopes of passing the test for the second year running.

After opening rounds of 74 and 69 for a one-over-par total, Elliot was sitting in a tie for 98th at PGA Catalunya in Girona.

And Lloyd was down in 117th after launching his Tour ticket bid with efforts of 77 and 67 over the weekend.

Both at least would have been encouraged by sub-par second rounds, though they could have been even better. Elliot, who had an eagle and three birdies, also ran up a triple-bogey 7, while Lloyd bagged six birdies in racing to the turn in 29 before dropping three shots coming home.

But it was Saturday’s opening efforts that had left the Archerfield aces both playing catch up right from the off.

Elliot’s 74 contained four bogeys while Lloyd had a triple-bogey and a double-bogey in the space of four holes as he limped home in 42.

Gary Orr, in a tie for 26th on five-under, was the leading Scot after the second day, followed by Team Scottish Hydro member Chris Doak, who was just outside the top 50 on three-under.

Englishman Sam Hutsby was leading the way on 13-under, mainly thanks to a superb 60 in his opening salvo.