Saltman recital at Royal Dublin

By Brian Keogh

Scotland’s Lloyd Saltman produced the greatest round of golf yet seen on the new-look Royal Dublin links to lay the foundations of a memorable two-stroke victory in the wind-lashed AIB Irish Amateur Open.

The 21-year-old from Edinburgh started the day four strokes adrift of the leaders but catapulted himself into a two-shot lead with a course record, six under par 66 that featured an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys in a stiff northwest wind.

The Scot then held on to his advantage when he carded a four over par 76 in gale force afternoon winds to post a clubhouse target of three over par 291.

Only Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick, playing in the last match on the course, stood any chance of matching him as pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy was already a spent force after a morning 75 he would follow with a 76 for a share of fourth place.

But while Kilpatrick drew level on three-over-par when he sank a 20 footer for an eagle at the driveable 16th, he three-putted the 17th from 40 feet and then pushed his tee shot into the drain to drop back-to-back shots and finish alone in second on five over par after a 76.

Following his victory in last week’s Lytham Trophy, this was Saltman’s fourth strokeplay win on the trot and he is sure to play a leading role for Great Britain and Ireland in the September’s Walker Cup at Royal County Down before turning professional.

His scintillating 66 was easily the best round seen at Royal Dublin since it underwent a major renovation by Martin Hawtree and was stretched to 7,268 yards last year.

But he had to work hard not to let it all slip away in the afternoon as he slouched to the turn in six over par 41 but came home in two under par 35 with the highlights an eagle at the 14th and a birdie at the 17th.

Saltman said: “I can't have a better start to the year. It's nice to win different events, especially after the St Andrews Links last year. The Irish Amateu Open has got a great field on a great track and it's such a well organised tournament.

“The 66 was one of my best ever rounds. Two dropped shots doesn't make it the perfect round but still, I played sensibly and a 66 set me up to win the tournament.

“This afternoon the wind was definitely up and I hit a drive and a three iron short of the first when this morning it was a drive and an eight iron.

“It was definitely harder and I didn't start well. I holed a couple of bogey saves and that was good because I knew the front nine was going to be tough and I might pick up a shot or two on the back.”

Scot Keir McNicoll claimed third place on eight over par after a closing 71 but tournament favourite McIlroy had to settle for a share of fourth place with Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo after rounds of 75 and 76.

The Irish Amateur Open Championship, The Royal Dublin Golf Club (Par 72)

291 L Saltman (Scotland) 72 77 66 76
293 R Kilpatrick (Banbridge) 74 71 72 76
296 K McNicoll (Scotland) 72 78 75 71
298 P Figueiredo (Portugal) 74 75 69 80, R McIlroy (Holywood) 73 74 75 76
299 N Kearney (Royal Dublin) 77 75 70 77, K Le Sager (France) 75 75 71 78, P Murray (Limerick) 75 72 77 75, C Doran (Banbridge) 74 77 69 79, R McCarthy (The Island) 74 72 76 77
300 M Veijalainen (Finland) 76 74 73 77
301 S Lowry (UCD/Esker Hills) 79 72 73 77, M Thistleton (England) 79 71 73 78, Z Gould (Wales) 76 73 73 79, G Campbell (Scotland) 74 76 76 75, R Ramsay (Scotland) 73 72 79 77
302 E Richardson (England) 76 73 77 76
303 J Caldwell (Clandeboye) 74 74 73 82, J Morris (Rosslare) 73 79 75 76, J Granberg (Finland) 72 75 77 79, R Enoch (Wales) 72 73 77 81
304 D Lernihan (Castle/UCD) 78 72 78 76, X Poncelet (France) 76 76 73 79, C Macaulay (Scotland) 76 75 75 78
305 D Morgan (Mullingar) 79 72 73 81, N Grant (Knock) 75 73 78 79, P O'Hara (Scotland) 74 75 76 80
306 S McEwan (Scotland) 79 73 77 77, N Edwards (Wales) 74 77 72 83
307 J McGinn (Laytown & Bettystown) 77 75 77 78, A Hogan (Newlands/UCD) 77 74 76 80, R Bechu (France) 74 75 79 79
309 R Thuillier (France) 75 75 78 81, B Fotheringham (Scotland) 75 75 71 88, L Lennox (Moyola Park) 74 78 76 81
310 A Runcie (Wales) 78 72 78 82, D Leathem (Lisburn) 77 73 77 83, S Henry (Scotland) 76 73 83 78
311 P Cutler (Portstewart) 75 74 80 82
314 R Kellett (Scotland) 80 69 77 88, M Armitage (England) 78 72 82 82, M Novy (Czech Republic) 71 78 78 87
315 C Geraghty (England) 74 78 79 84, B Walton (The Island/UCD) 74 76 79 86
316 R Zwahlen (France) 73 77 80 86
318 R McKnight (Scotland) 75 76 82 85