Walker Cup stars safely through qualifying
Walker Cup players Lloyd Saltman and Rory McIlory safely came through the first stage of the European Tour’s qualifying school at The Oxfordshire.
Scottish rookie Saltman passed his first test as a professional with a closing one-under 71 for a 10-under aggregate of 278 which left him in a share of seventh.
The 22-year-old, who won the Brabazon Trophy over the same Oxfordshire course in 2005, finished behind number one qualifier Tongo Charamba of Zimbabwe, who shot a 70 for 267.
Rising Irish star McIlory, who is set to make his professional debut in next week’s British Masters at The Belfry, carded a 72 for an eight-under total and came through comfortably in a share of 13th.
Welshman Alex Smith grabbed second place on 268 but Aberdeen rookie Richie Ramsay, last year’s US Amateur champion, fell at the first hurdle as he failed to reach the four-under qualifying target with a 287.
Englishman Matt Ford claimed the honours at Chart Hills in Kent with a five-under 67 for a 12-under 276. Former Irish Open strokeplay champion Gary Cullen progressed in third spot on 280 after a 70.
At the Fleesensee club in Germany, Danish duo Knud Storgaard and Kasper Jorgensen shared first place on 273 while England’s Seve Benson and former West of Ireland champion Michael McDermott tied for fifth with 278s.
