PGA EuroPro Tour report, scores

LLOYD SALTMAN (78) STRUGGLES

WHILE EAGER BEEVER

SHOTS RECORD 65

Former amateur ace Lloyd Saltman is not having the success widely tipped for him as a rookie pro.
In today’s opening round of the PGA EuroPro Tour event at The Shire Golf Club, London, the Scot, picture right by Cal Carson Golf Agency (all rights reserved), struggled round in six-over-par 78 as Englishman Philip Beever shot a new course record of seven-under 65.
Lloyd’s elder brother Elliott got under par with a 71 but another Lothians man, Mark Kerr, had a 79.
Andy Oldcorn shot a two-over 74 but Glasgow’s Lorne Kelly, beaten in play-off at Wensum Valley last week, returned a 70.
Beever (Peter Mitchell Golf Academy) recorded eight birdies on the Hertfordshire course in glorious conditions that were in stark contrast to the horrible weather in last weeks’ Wensum Valley opener where the wind and rain played havoc with the scoring.
SCOTS SCORES

70 Lorne Kelly.
71 Elliot Saltman.
73 Barry Hume.
74 Andy Oldcorn, Lee Harper.
75 Neil Mitchell.
76 Graeme Brown.
78 Lloyd Saltman.
79 Mark Kerr, Chris McCalman. .

ANTHONY LEAVER REPORTS:
The stunning weather and low score put a smile on Beever’s face – but he will be dressing differently when he tees off at 12.40 tomorrow in what is likely to be another scorcher.
“I certainly won’t be wearing black again – that was a bad decision,” he said.
Six players trail Beever by three shots at four under par (68) –Mark O’Sullivan (Galway), Lloyd Kennedy (Chelmsford GC), Adam Frayne (St Mellion), Jamie Harris (Tonbridge GC), Alan Murray (Glenstones GC) and James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City GC).

One shot behind them at three under is a group of five players – Jamie Elson (Forum Financial Associates), Colin Roope (wstore.co.uk), David Callaway (Linx International) Dale Marmion (Eaton) and Peter Appleyard (Read Group/Wildernesse).

Doncaster’s Michael Hempstock and Pro Dream USA’s Lorne Kelly, who – along with Harris – lost out to Seve Benson in last week’s four-way play-off in Norfolk, are in a group of nine players at two under, with 12 at one under and 17 players level before Thursday.