McIlroy backs inspirational Saltman to follow his lead

RORY McIlroy, already ranked in the world’s top 20, has spoken of how he was inspired by Lloyd Saltman’s performance in the 2005 Open at St Andrews and believes the Scot can also go on to emulate his own achievements in the game. Delighted for Lloyd and his brother, Elliot, who this week became the first brothers since Jumbo and Joe Ozaki in 1992 to qualify for the Open, the young Irishman has long been friendly with the Saltman family and plans to play a practice round with Lloyd at Turnberry next week.

“I know Lloyd,” he said on the putting green at Loch Lomond yesterday. “I also know Elliot and Zack (the youngest brother], Jack and Dawn (their parents] as well. It was great to see Elliot and Lloyd get through on Monday. It will be great for them.

“I played at Turnberry on Monday and I actually saw both of them, because they went up just to have a look around. They must have been pretty confident that they were getting through after their opening qualifying rounds. I’ve said to Lloyd that I hope to get a practice round with him, definitely. I know him well. I played with him in my first boys international in 2004, in Wales, so I’ve known him for five years.

“We were at a very similar standard for most of our amateur career and he won the Silver Medal at St Andrews. He has obviously seen what I’ve done in recent years and thought to himself: ‘Well, if Rory can do it, there’s no reason why I can’t.’

“It’s great that he sees it that way. It’s brilliant that he’s qualified for another Open and I would love to see him on Tour here this year. We keep in touch a little bit, not that much. We send the odd text message to see how we’re getting on.”

McIlroy and Saltman turned professional on the same day two years ago after the Walker Cup. Since then their careers have taken different paths. The 20-year-old Ulsterman has been hailed by Tiger Woods as the best young player in the world, while Lloyd, 23, is making his way on the Challenge Tour.

In McIlroy’s opinion, Saltman should have become a pro four years ago. “I think 2005 was great for Lloyd but, yeah, next week is a big week for him,” he said. “If I was in his position in 2005, I probably would have turned pro after the Walker Cup. Everyone said he should wait for the next Walker Cup in 2007 and then turn pro. But you’ve seen with Shane Lowry that you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot.

“Lloyd is a very, very good player. I’m sure his game is suited to links courses, we’ve all been brought up on them, so it would be great to see him play well. We had some good tussles as amateurs. He won the Lytham Trophy and we played in the final two rounds together, in the last two-ball. It was pretty tight all the way and then it got pretty rough towards the end, he finished with four pars and I made a couple of bogeys, so he beat me by a couple. That’s one that stands out.”

“I actually took inspiration from him and what he did in 2005. It wasn’t winning the Silver Medal, it was finishing 15th at St Andrews. That was a really good achievement. You look at guys like that for inspiration. I also looked at Olly Fisher, who got his Tour card first time out, and I thought if Olly could do it there was no reason why I couldn’t.

“Big Elliot is a great player, too. He’s been doing pretty well on the Europro Tour, so it’s great to see him take this chance. That’s what the Open is all about, a lot of guys who can play well in qualifying getting in to enjoy a great experience. Hopefully Elliot can play well, gain a bit of confidence from playing in the Open and get even better.”

Zack Saltman will put his own fledgling professional career on hold for a week to caddie for older brother Elliot in the Open.

He had been set to continue his rookie season on the third-tier PGA EuroPro Tour in Bristol next week. The chance to be a part of the Open, however, as well as the promise of a new pair of trainers from his senior sibling convinced the Archerfield youngster to take up the role.

“I caddied for Elliot during the qualifying and once he knew he was in he asked me if I’d do it at the Open,” said Zack. “I wasn’t sure because I now have my own playing career to think of and I was supposed to be playing in an event next week.

“But Elliot kept asking me and because I’d helped him get through qualifying he wanted me there again. Once he offered to buy me a new pair of trainers I agreed. He’s says they’ll be over the £50 mark too.

I’m going to enjoy the caddie life for a week.”

Published Date: 09 July 2009
By Mike Aitken, The Scotsman