Saltman clinches the glory at Stonebridge - 28/02/2007

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ELLIOT Saltman has become the first Scotsman to win an event on the 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour.

After three rounds of the Ethos Group Classic 2007 at the Stonebridge Golf Club, Saltman and Matthew Ford ( Marriott Tudor Park) were tied on ten-under.

But Saltman, a member of Craigielaw Golf Club, edged the 18th hole play-off to claim the £10,000 top prize and move inside the top ten in the Order of Merit rankings.

This was the 11th EuroPro Tour competition Saltman had played in this year but he has had a mixed record after finishing third at the opening tournament in Norfolk but failing to make the cut on five occasions.

However, this victory keeps his hopes alive of securing a top five place at the end of the season, an achievement that would earn him a 2008 Challenge Tour card.

Elsewhere, Steven Cowle (Blacknest Golf and Country Club) and Adam Frayne (St Mellion), who hit a score of 62 on Thursday, finished in joint third on eight-under.

Lee Gauthier started the final day in level 26th and fell back to one-under after a bogey at the sixth. However, he then found a rich vein of form with seven birdies in his last 12 holes, although he did drop another shot on the 17th.

But he had done enough to claim his fourth top ten finish of the season after also performing well at Wensum Valley , Norfolk , Whittlebury Park , Northamptonshire and Ufford Park , Surrey .

Gauthier came equal fifth, along with Neil Walker, while five players - Jack Doherty, Brendan McCarroll, Andrew Oldcorn, Martin Le Mesurier and Robert Steele were level on six-under.

The top 50 plus ties advanced into the last day and all the remaining players won some prize money.

Every pound earned could prove crucial as the leading 60 players after one more event will play in the end of season Tour Championships.

The last of the regular 2007 tournaments is the Ladbrokescasino.com Masters, which takes place at the Selsdon Park Hotel and Golf Club, South Croydon, Surrey , from September 25 to September 27.

Date posted: September 7, 2007