Golf Central

It’s only a matter of time before Scotland’s Lloyd Saltman is a star in pro golf. But to pick up his first professional victory cheque last weekend, the 22-year-old from East Lothian had to go back in time – almost literally.  
    And he did it in style, sporting plus-fours and playing with a set of six pre-1935 hickory-shafted clubs to win the World Hickory Open at his home links of Craigielaw, and the champ's payout of £1700.
    Said Saltman: “It would be fair to say the hickory championship was not what I planned, but it was great fun and using only six clubs really opened up the imagination.”
    Swinging the old-school sticks, Saltman got around the 18 holes in 1-over 72, beating former Scottish PGA champ Fraser Mann by a shot. Needless to say, dithering over club selection is not an issue at this event and tournament supremo Lionel Freedman reports that the entire field finished their rounds in just over three hours despite typically Scottish conditions.
    The World Hickory Open is in its third year, and even former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher OBE has had a crack at the old sticks, shooting a 76 in last year’s event. A Saltman won that one as well – Lloyd’s younger brother Zack, third this year with a 75.
    On the previous day, at the World Hickory Pro-Am, David Laing of Craigielaw, who was making his pro debut, aced the 157-yard 10th hole. His prizes included the hickory club he used, a magnum of champagne and a bottle of Famous Grouse suitably inscribed. Presumably, the champions dinner was bangers and mashie ...

Photograph courtesy of Robert Brown

1) Nick Faldo will probably be a pretty good Ryder Cup captain.

2) So would Jack Nicklaus. The word is in the States that Jack’s ability to create a “winning atmosphere” was the key behind the US team’s convincing win in the President’s Cup.

3) No offense, but the names of Paul Azinger, Tom Lehman, Hal Sutton, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins do not ring the same chord as just one: Nicklaus.

4) Woody Austin does not float.

5) Royal Montreal is a cracking site for championship golf, and it’s a pity that Canada only gets to see the world’s best players once a year.

6) Mike Weir is what they call in Canada a “clutch player”. Or in ice-hockey speak, he “came up big” in his President’s Cup singles match against Tiger Woods.

7) Camilo Villegas got the first notch on his professional golf belt by winning the Japan Tour’s Tokai Classic with a 2-under 282. Expect many, many more from the nattily-clad poster boy from Colombia, and not just for a fistful of yen.

8) Lorena Ochoa is not unbeatable, as Maria Hjorth proved on the LPGA Tour in Alabama. It was uno, dos, tres for Mexico’s superstar Ochoa, but no cuatro.

9) The PGA Tour proved for once it actually does have a heart, by allowing David Duval to keep his tour card, despite having to remain at home to help his wife through her difficult pregnancy.

10) Mum told you not to swing golf clubs in the house and she meant it. Did that stop Marc Warren from being a bad boy at the Seve Trophy? Nooooooo.