The 138th Open, Turnberry
Date: 16-19 July
Coverage: Live TV coverage on BBC Two, Online and the Red Button, live on Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Scotland and text commentary online on all four days

Elliot and Lloyd Saltman both came through local qualifying

Scottish brothers Lloyd and Elliot Saltman are looking forward to their tilt at the Open and will be joined at Turnberry by younger sibling Zack.

Lloyd, who won the Silver Medal for best amateur at St Andrews in 2005, made it through local qualifying, along with elder brother Elliot.

Zack missed out on a family clean sweep by just one stroke. He will however be Elliot's caddie.

The last brothers to play at the Open were Jumbo and Joe Ozaki in 1992.

"We're a close family and we were all together in 2005 at the Open, I don't think we'd have it any other way," said Lloyd.

"We like to be together and share our experiences - 2005 was a great experience for me and really set me up to where I am now.

"I've used as much of that as I can and hopefully it will help me this week."

Scotland's last triumph at the Open came 10 years ago, when Paul Lawrie triumphed lifted the Claret Jug a play-off at a blustery Carnoustie.

But, with Colin Montgomerie, runner-up in 2005, on the wane, Scottish golf is in the doldrums, with Gary Orr enjoying the highest world ranking at 124.

"Obviously we don't have a Scot in the top 100 and I don't think that is right," said Lloyd. "But I think we've got nine now this weekend. Was it four last year, five?

"We've got the game and we've got the ability to do well, so obviously we know we can do it if we just kind of go out there and play as well as we can."

Elliot, 27, admits his brother's debut performance at St Andrews was an inspiration to him.

"I saw, from outside the ropes, what Lloyd was experiencing," he said.

"It made me work harder to see my brother doing so well, I wanted to get into the same position.

"Four years down the line it's all paid off and here I am."

Despite Zack being caddy for Elliot this week he could not hide his disappointment at not making it a Saltman hat-trick.

"To see them both here is great and I feel I let them down a little bit. But there's plenty of years to come."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version