Elliot Saltman has returned to the European Tour for this week’s Spanish Open in Barcelona, expressing surprise at the level of support he’s received after serving out his three-month ban for cheating.

Scotland's Elliot Saltman surprised by support after ending three-month ban for cheating.

Saltman arrived in Spain in Sunday in the company of his younger brother, Lloyd and aside from his strapping build, the 29-year old was still not hard to miss yesterday practicing at the host Real Club de Golf El Prat course in a bright pink shirt.

But aside from being conspicuous, there was still many ready to seek out Saltman and welcome him bck to competition including the European Tour CEO, George O’Grady, Director of Tour Operations, David Garland and victorious Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie.

The Spanish Open is Saltman’s first since his controversial suspension and in fact, he actually missed just one event, the Sicilian Open in March.

Saltman could have contested last week’s Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea but the late confirmation of his entry meant problems organising a visa at such short notice.

“I’m glad to be back as it’s been a long three months, but now I am back on Tour it feels like I’ve never left it,” he said.

“A lot of the guys have come up to me and wished me luck, and quite a few unexpected guys.

“George O’Grady and David Garland have both spoken to me which was nice. I thought it might have been a wee bit difficult, but it’s like nothing happened.”

Montgomerie believes Saltman is deserving of a second chance after his indiscretions on the putting green during last September’s Russian Open.

“All we can is to wish him well,” said Monty.

“It’s obviously been a difficult few months for him but he’s served his time, and it’s time he and everybody else moved on.

“I hope he do well this week but not good enough to finish in front of me (laughing).”

Saltman will contest the opening two rounds of the Euro 2m event in the company of England’s Matthew Nixon and Chilean Mark Tullo.

Nixon was the only amateur to secure his Tour card at last November’s Tour School where both Elliot and his younger brother, Lloyd were also successful in gaining their cards.

“I’ve never played with either Mark Tullo or Matthew Nixon but we are all tour rookies,” said Saltman.

“I know Matthew got his card at the same Q School as me in December, and we very nearly had a practice round together one day, but it didn’t work out.

“So it will be nice to play with him tomorrow and Friday.

“My game’s pretty good, just really pleased to get going again.  I’ll have next week’s event in Majorca and Madeira a week later, so that’s three in a row, a chance to get some momentum going.”

Strangely, Trullo also was not hard to miss with the Sotogrande-based Chilean practicing in a bright orange coloured shirt.  However the pint-sized 32-year is also prepared to forgive and forget.

“Everybody makes mistakes in their lives and hopefully he’s learnt his lesson,” said Tullo.

“I’m not sure if he did it on purpose and while it may have been a small thing, in golf you only have to move the ball the slightest bit and you’re done something wrong to breach the rules.

“I really don’t care much about it as long as he’s not doing what he did anymore.  I know I won’t be watching him as I will be playing my own game.

“I imagine he’s intelligent enough not to do it again and I’ve got no problems with him, at all.

“I know I am definitely not going to mention it as that would be really impolite on my part, and I also wasn’t surprised when I saw the draw.  I guess Elliot has to play with someone.

“I am a very open person who likes to chat a lot on the golf course and I am sure between the three of us, we’ll find a lot to talk about over the next two days.”