LLOYD Saltman has acknowledged he is "fuelled" by the challenge of emulating young players of the calibre of Rory McIlroy and Anthony Kim in the knowledge he won't need to do anything radically different to match their success in the professional game.
According to the 23-year-old Craigielaw golfer, who won the silver medal for leading amateur in the 2000 Open, he has remained positive in spite of having to overcome numerous frustrations since joining the pro ranks.
Currently plying his trade on
the Challenge Tour, where he has endured a difficult start to the season with two missed cuts, Saltman heads for Morocco next week believing better times are just around the corner.
"People think I look at what Rory has achieved and that I must feel frustrated by his success," said Saltman. "But it's not like that. It's not as if I can't look back on success of my own and what fuels me is that he hasn't done anything different. He has been successful as a pro by doing the same things he did in the amateur game. That inspires and encourages me because I know I can do the same."
Saltman and McIlroy turned pro on the same day after the Walker Cup match at Royal County Down. Since then, their careers have followed different paths – the Irishman won his card for the European Tour and is now well established.
The Scot, meanwhile, lost focus last year when he tried, unsuccessfully, to compete on four different tours. This season he's concentrating on the Challenge Tour. Although he has missed two cuts and has recorded a few poor scores, Saltman remains optimistic about what the rest of the year holds: "I'm a great believer that things happen for a reason and, in the long run, will only make you stronger. I'm sure everything that has happened will make me a better player in the long run."
Speaking at the Roxburghe, near Kelso, where he was promoting the Magners Scottish Golf Championship, Saltman added: "I've been working with Mark Roe for the past four months and the changes we're making in my short game are not totally natural yet. Having said that, I'm heading in the right direction and I know things are getting better. It's exciting for me to be moving in the right direction with the short stuff.
"I'm not too despondent about my start to the season because it's difficult for all Scots when you come out of a bad winter and head for competition at altitude in a warm climate. On the other hand, I've done good work with my coaches during the off season and know where I'm trying to get to – and believe I will arrive there sooner rather than later.
"I've also been working out in the gym and have put on half-a-stone in weight and that should help with fitness and stamina.I feel as if the season starts for me next week and I'm raring to go."
Saltman is an ambassador for the Magners championship, which attracted more than 22,000 entries from club golfers in 2008. More than 200 Scottish clubs will take part in the competition which stages five regional finals before the grand final at the Roxburghe in October.
Brand manager Jules Macken of Magners said: "The level of interest has gone from strength to strength and playing the final in the Borders will be a great way to keep the event fresh for the players. Having Lloyd involved has been a great boost for the championship."
