Inward nine holes wreck Saltman's challenge

ELLIOT SALTMAN looked set to challenge the PGA EuroPro Tour leaders at this week's Collingtree Park event at Northampton when he was four under par after 11 holes, having birdied the first, fourth, ninth and 11th.

But that was as good as it got for the Lothians man. He bogeyed the 12th, 17th and 18th to tag an inward half of 38 on to his encouraging 33 to the turn.

A one-under-par 71 left him in joint 19th with Paul Doherty, who won the Scottish boys' match-play title at Dunbar a few years back.

Former Scottish amateur champion Graham Gordon from Aberdeen was the top Scot at the end of the first day with a seven-birdie round of four-under 68, one behind joint leaders John Bandurak from Bloxwich and Irishman Noel Fox.

Montrose-born Graham Brown, who has a playing attachment to Dalmahoy these days, is 41st with Cowal's Lorne Kelly, both on 73.

Mark Kerr (Craigielaw) and Paul Doherty's older brother Jack shared 61st place on 74.