LLOYD SALTMAN, who stood alongside Tiger Woods when he won the Silver Medal in The Open at St Andrews in 2005, relished rubbing shoulders with another world star in the final round of the Barclays Scottish Open.
The Archerfield ace played with Phil Mickelson on the last day of the weather-hit event at Castle Stuart in Inverness. And he was on course to beat the world No.6 until the American “moved up a gear” with a burst of birdies around the turn.
It was great draw and I had a great day,” said Saltman after closing the £3 million event, won by world No.1 Luke Donald, with a third successive 70 to finish on six-under – one behind his playing partner.
“When I was looking on Friday after both our scores came in, I was hoping that I would be playing with Phil.
“It worked out well as it was a great experience, as was playing with Jeev Milka Singh (the third member in the group).
“I was trying to watch Phil as much as I could and pick up a few things.”
Saltman was ahead of Mickelson on the leaderboard until the former Masters champion produced a spurt with four birdies in a row from the 18th after they’d started at the tenth.
“I was out there trying to focus on my own game and shot a couple of under which was a bit disappointing but, at the same time, three 70s was solid,” added Saltman.
“He almost just turned it on when he had those four birdies in a row, one of them after a great up and down from a bunker at the second.
“He was great to play with and was very chatty, both him and his caddie ‘Bones’ (Jim Mackay). It was good fun out there with them.”
Saltman picked up a cheque for just over £7300 but dropped a spot to 107th in the Race to Dubai. “I was trying to get that spot in The Open but that would have been a bonus, to be honest, and it wasn’t to be,” he added.
“After seven events in a row, I think I probably need a rest and I’m looking forward to chilling out for three or four days before getting back to practising and getting myself ready for Sweden.”
from The Scotsman 11 July 2011
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
