Torrance tips put Elliot on the


straight and narrow for Spain


FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Elliot Saltman headed through to Largs today for one final session with coach Bob Torrance but is confident his game couldn't be better for his bid to graduate to the European Tour.
The Archerfield Links man, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, is off to Spain tomorrow to prepare for the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School at the end of next week. Saltman, who was on a real high when he played in The Open at Turnberry earlier in the year along with brother Lloyd, suffered a disappointing end to the EuroPro Tour season as he missed out on a top-five spot on the Order of Merit.
But, after seeing Torrance on a number of occasions over the past few weeks and also working hard on the range, he's feeling confident about his chances of progressing at Sherry Golf, near Jerez, and making it to the third and final stage later in the month.

"I think I was given a wee shock when I found the position I was in after failing to finish in the top five on the EuroPro Tour, something that had been in my sights all season," he said."I felt really good going into the Tour Championship at Slaley Hall but was a bit nervous at the same time and I am determined to learn from that experience.
"I've been working on my mental side and am not going to heap pressure on myself at the Tour School. I am going there feeling good – in fact I am hitting the ball amazing well – and I know exactly what I need to do."
Having played at Sherry Golf once before in the Spanish Amateur Championship, Saltman believes the lengthy course will suit his game as he bids to earn a ticket to the six-round final phase near Girona.
"Lloyd, who has also played there, and I were talking about the course the other day and he said he reckoned the average length of the par 4s is about 460 yards," he added."There are also four or five par 5s and all I am concentrating on at the moment is progressing past this stage, I'm not getting too far ahead of myself."
The big-hitter has failed to progress past this stage on two previous occasions, missing out by a fair bit 12 months ago despite closing with a six-under final round.

But, having linked up with Torrance, the man who coaches Padraig Harrington among others, Saltman believes his game is far better equipped now for such a test.
"I've been through to Largs quite a few times to see Bob and will be there again on Friday for some fine-tuning," he said."After the Tour Championship, Bob noticed that my grip was becoming a bit strong and that explained my bad shot under pressure – a hook.
"That's been weakened off now and, as a result, I can be a lot more aggressive through the ball."
The next few weeks could be career-changing for Saltman, and he's determined to give it his best shot.
"This is massive for me," he said. "Missing out means I'll be back on the EuroPro Tour next season and that's not where I want to be at this stage in my career."