ARCHERFIELD golf ace Elliot Saltman faces the biggest tournament of his career this month after booking his ticket for The Open Championship on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old earned his place at Royal Lytham & St Annes after coming through the local qualifying tournament at Southport & Ainsdale.

A total of 12 Open places were on offer across the four host venues but Saltman had to wait to have his ticket punched after finishing in a three-way tie for second at his venue, carding a six-under 138 with rounds of 68 and 70.

That forced him into a play-off with fellow Scotsman Chris Doak, as well as Ian Keenan, for the final two places.

It would be Doak who missed out after his tee shot found some tough lie, ensuring that Saltman will be mixing it with the big boys in Lancashire in two weeks' time.

It will be the second time that Saltman has played in Europe's only major, after taking part in the tournament at Turnberry in 2009, together with younger brother Lloyd.

The younger Saltman, who has been enjoying a fine season, narrowly missed out on joining his brother again this time around, posting rounds of 73 and 70 to finish one-under at the qualifier at Hillside, but that was only enough for him to finish in tied-eighth.

Prestonpans pro Raymond Russell was also right in the hunt, fresh off winning his maiden Challenge Tour event last week, as he took part in the same qualifier as Elliot Saltman.

The 39-year-old carded rounds of 73 and 69 to finish two-under, placing him tied-10th and four shots behind Saltman.

All three players are gunning for a return to the top tier European Tour for next season after missing out on retaining their cards last year.

The Saltmans had become the first brothers ever to come through tour qualifying school together when they both booked their European Tour cards but ultimately both narrowly missed out on retaining them.

Elliot missed three months early in that season through suspension but came back strongly, including making headlines with a succession of holes in one.