NEWS

Storm extends lead to three shots after second round at sunny KLM Open

By Bernie McGuire
Published on
Storm extends lead to three shots after second round at sunny KLM Open

HILVERSUM, Netherlands -- Graeme Storm remained on track to end a five-year winless drought after moving three shots clear with a 4-under 66 Friday in the second round of the KLM Open.

The English golfer didn't drop a shot in superb scoring conditions, a day after signing for a new course record 63 on the Hilversumsche Golf Club course. He has an 11-under total 129 at the halfway mark.

Three players were tied for second, with Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (65), Scotland's Scott Jamieson (64) and Sweden's Peter Hanson (66), all on 8 under.

Storm is looking for his second European Tour victory after capturing the 2007 French Open -- although he's more concerned with just keeping his Tour card. He's currently just inside the cut-off mark to retain his full membership for 2013.

"I played great day today with only one poor tee shot at that was at 14 where I managed to get up-and-down to save par," he said. "But the main goal this week, like the past few months, is to try and secure my Tour card for next year, so that's been at the forefront of my mind for probably the last three months."

Hanson has not won a tournament since the 2010 Czech Open but secured his place on Europe's Ryder Cup team on the back of six top-10 finishes this season, including a third at the Masters.

And after playing alongside Europe Captain Jose Maria Olazabal for a second straight day, Hanson was pleased to have put on an impressive display.

"It's just nice to have a bogey-free round as this tree-lined golf course is very tricky," he said. "But while Jose Maria didn't play well himself, I am sure he would be pleased that both Martin (Kaymer), Nicolas (Colsaerts) and myself are in form."

Colsaerts also didn't drop a shot in a round of 65 that included five birdies, but is six shots back after a 70 on Thursday. Kaymer, who won the Dutch event in 2010 and played with Colsaerts, carded a 71 to remain at 4 under.

"I drove the ball fantastically today keeping the ball under the trees by hitting a lot of stingers," Colsaerts said. "But it has been good to play with Martin as that is the first time we have played alongside each other, so we chatted about the Ryder Cup and what to expect and so on.

"So it's already been a good week for me, picking up pieces like from a salad bowl on what to expect at Medinah."