Saltman finds the sweetspot with course record

Zack Saltman (above) shot a course record 63 on the par-70 Lakes Course at Longhirst Hall Golf Club to take a one-stroke lead at the end of the opening round of the Sweetspot Classic, the 10th event of the 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour season.

Saltman (Archerfield Links Golf Club) had brother Lloyd as his caddy on his impressive round as he surged ahead of the field with six birdies and an eagle, slipping up only on the 17th where he took bogey five.

The Scot has been in form recently and with three top 10 finishes already this season he’ll take a strong position on the Order of Merit should he register his first win of the year this week.

Speaking after his round, he said: “I holed a lot of putts today, but I had given myself chances which was nice. I made an eagle on 10, a drivable par four, and my only bogey of the day was 17 but it was good to finish with a birdie at the last and get my score back up.

“I had Lloyd on my bag today and it must have helped. It was good and I was relaxed out there and then Lloyd knows what he is doing, he is a great player so it was good to have him out there.”

The other story of the day was Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel), who shot six birdies and had a hole in one on the back nine. His incredible finish took him to second, one off the lead after he opened with two bogeys and signed for a 64.

In a share of third, a two shots further back, are Mathew Webb (www.webbysgolf.co.uk) who had four birdies, an eagle and two bogeys on his opening 18, while Todd Adcock (The Nevill Golf Club) was unblemished and broke par at three, 10, 11 and 15.

Spectator entry to the event is free throughout the week, and Sky Sports HD will film Friday’s final round for a highlights programme to be shown on Tuesday, August 27.

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