Saltman one off the lead after six birdies

A SPARKLING round of 65 saw in-form Elliot Saltman take a share of second place on day one of the Allianz Golf Open de Lyon on the European Challenge Tour.

Saltman, runner-up at the recent Fred Olsen Challenge de Espaa, struck six birdies in a flawless round to finish on six under par, level with Sweden's Oscar Floren and one shot behind leader Marcus Higley, who signed for a 64. Other Scots who performed well included Scott Jamieson with a two under 69, one better than Jamie McLeary and Callum Macaulay.

Meanwhile, Remo Fueg became the third overseas winner of a national SGU title this season when he won the Scottish Open under-16 championship at Auchterarder. The Zurich teenager closed with a two-over 71 for a one-over 208 and edged out Blairgowrie's Bradley Neil by a single shot. Fueg, 16, joins Scottish Open Strokeplay holder Romain Wattel of France and Scottish Open Youths' winner Max Rottluff of Germany on the list of foreign champions this year.

Sharing top spot with a round to play, Feug held on despite bogeys on his final two holes while Neil, who defends his Scottish under-14 title today, signed off with a battling 70. England's Nick Ward claimed third on 210, while Craig Howie of Peebles shared fourth with South Africa's Haydn Porteous on 211.