Saltman’s Fota shoot

Qualifying for a major championship would be considered a good week’s work in any golfer’s estimation but, instead of basking in his success, Elliot Saltman went out and won a tournament.

The Scotsman had been in two minds about whether to even start this week’s 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Audi Cork Irish Masters, having birdied the last at Southport & Ainsdale in Lancashire on Tuesday to reach this month’s British Open Championship.

A course-record, 10-under-par 61 on Fota Island Resort’s Deerpark course yesterday to win the tournament more than convinced Saltman he had made the right choice to play.