Storm still ahead at KLM Open

Hilversum, Netherlands – Graeme Storm posted a 4-under-par 66 on Friday to stay atop the leaderboard after the second round of the KLM Open.

Storm, the first-round leader, finished 36 holes at 11-under 129 and is three strokes clear at Hilversumsche Golf Club.

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (65), European Ryder Cupper Peter Hanson (66) and Scott Jamieson (64) are knotted in second place at 8-under 132.

Pablo Larrazabal (65) and Shiv Kapur (67) share fifth at minus-6.

Martin Kaymer, who is trying to round into form in time for the Ryder Cup, played well on Thursday with a 65. His captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, was in his playing group the first two rounds and Olazabal saw Kaymer, who won this event in 2010, struggle to a 1-over 71 on Friday. Kaymer fell into a tie for 12th.

The news was better for Olazabal with not just Hanson, but one of his picks, Nicolas Colsaerts. The Ryder Cup rookie fired a 5-under 65 and vaulted into a tie for seventh at minus-5.

But everyone is chasing Storm.

After a bogey-free 63 on Thursday, Storm parred his first two holes Friday, then birdied the par-4 third. He parred the last six of the front nine and got to 9-under for the championship with a birdie at the 11th, his second in as many rounds.

Storm birdied the par-3 15th and padded his lead with a birdie at the par-5 closing hole.

"I played nicely last week and I was hoping to bring it here. At the moment I am and I just hope it continues," said Storm. "It makes a change to have all red on my card. Hopefully I used all the bogeys up last week in Crans."

Storm has had a rough year. His grandfather passed away early in the summer and he's fallen to 114th in the Race to Dubai. Storm's focus this week isn't even the winner's circle, it's what has been on his mind for most of the season - earning his card for next year.

"Every day. It has been for the last three months," said Storm of how often he thinks of his status for next season. "It is a big struggle missing so many cuts. The goal for me still is to keep my card, even though I am leading. If someone comes through then so be it, I just need my card for next year."

Colsaerts was joined in seventh by Simon Thornton (64), Danny Willett (69), Raphael Jacquelin (70) and Bradley Dredge (66).

Defending champion Simon Dyson, who has won this title three times, carded a 4-under 66 and got into the mix. Dyson matched Kaymer at 4-under 136.

NOTES: The 36-hole cut fell at even par and Olazabal and two of his assistants, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Paul McGinley, all missed the cut.