Local Final Qualifying ends at three Ayrshire venues
'Mum's over the moon!' - Lloyd and
Elliot Saltman get through to Open
Lloyd and Elliot Saltman on Tuesday became the first pair of brothers to qualify for the Open since Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros and his sibling Manuel did so in 1983.
The Scottish brothers were two of 12 golfers to qualify for the third of this season’s majors which gets underway on Thursday week at Turnberry.
However, two notable players who failed to book their tickets were Spain’s two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal - whose best placings at the Open was third in 1992 and tied for third in 2005 - and France’s former runner-up (Carnoustie 1999) Jean van de Velde.
The most impressive performance was put up by veteran Austrian Markus Brier who shot 16-under par for the two rounds to secure his place in what will be his sixth Open appearance.
It was the Saltman brothers, though, who produced the headline grabbing story as 27-year-old Elliott won his first ever place to challenge for the ‘Claret Jug’ while for 23-year-old Lloyd it will be his first return to the Open since winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur at St Andrews in 2005.
What made it even more of a family affair was that another brother Zack was caddying for Elliott.
“It’s a dream come true to be in The Open, especially along with my brother, Lloyd,” said Elliot
“Mum’s over the moon. She was on the phone to him while he was here watching me on the 18th.”
South Africa’s Thomas Aiken also booked his place - for his third appearance - posting a four-under-par 67 on Tuesday to lead by two strokes on six under-par.
“I again played very solid, trying to limit the bogeys,” said the 25-year-old who will celebrate his 26th birthday on July 16, the first day of the tournament.
“I stuck to the same game-plan as in the first round and it paid off.”
Among others to qualify were veteran English Ryder Cup competitor, Peter Baker, Ireland’s David Higgins and Australian Daniel Gaunt.
But Banchory's James Byrne's run of fantastic success over recent weeks came to an end. After a good first round, James faded out of contention.
Elliot Saltman get through to Open
Lloyd and Elliot Saltman on Tuesday became the first pair of brothers to qualify for the Open since Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros and his sibling Manuel did so in 1983.
The Scottish brothers were two of 12 golfers to qualify for the third of this season’s majors which gets underway on Thursday week at Turnberry.
However, two notable players who failed to book their tickets were Spain’s two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal - whose best placings at the Open was third in 1992 and tied for third in 2005 - and France’s former runner-up (Carnoustie 1999) Jean van de Velde.
The most impressive performance was put up by veteran Austrian Markus Brier who shot 16-under par for the two rounds to secure his place in what will be his sixth Open appearance.
It was the Saltman brothers, though, who produced the headline grabbing story as 27-year-old Elliott won his first ever place to challenge for the ‘Claret Jug’ while for 23-year-old Lloyd it will be his first return to the Open since winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur at St Andrews in 2005.
What made it even more of a family affair was that another brother Zack was caddying for Elliott.
“It’s a dream come true to be in The Open, especially along with my brother, Lloyd,” said Elliot
“Mum’s over the moon. She was on the phone to him while he was here watching me on the 18th.”
South Africa’s Thomas Aiken also booked his place - for his third appearance - posting a four-under-par 67 on Tuesday to lead by two strokes on six under-par.
“I again played very solid, trying to limit the bogeys,” said the 25-year-old who will celebrate his 26th birthday on July 16, the first day of the tournament.
“I stuck to the same game-plan as in the first round and it paid off.”
Among others to qualify were veteran English Ryder Cup competitor, Peter Baker, Ireland’s David Higgins and Australian Daniel Gaunt.
But Banchory's James Byrne's run of fantastic success over recent weeks came to an end. After a good first round, James faded out of contention.
Labels: OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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