HILVERSUM (Holland): Graeme Storm put a lean and emotionally testing spell behind him to take the first round lead in the KLM Open on Thursday, while Ryder Cup star Martin Kaymer made a timely return to form.

A fine 63 enabled the tall Englishman to reach seven under, which put him two shots clear of Kaymer, who ended the day level with Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay and Frenchman Raphal Jacquelin.

Kaymer’s European team-mate Peter Hanson of Sweden was one of six players tied for fifth on four under, while Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts – one of Jose Maria Olazabal’s Ryder Cup picks – birdied the last to go round in 70.

But leading the way is Storm, who currently lies 114th in The Race to Dubai and faces a battle to retain his European Tour card.

In addition to struggling for form he has been forced to cope with tragedy away from the course, with his grandfather passing away prior to June’s BMW International Open.

“I’ve had a tough run and it’s all been a bit of a struggle. I’ve just not been enjoying it,” Storm said.

Leading second round scores in the European Tour KLM Open at Hilversum on Friday (GBR and IRL unless stated, par 70):

129 - Graeme Storm 63 66

132 - Peter Hanson (SWE) 66 66, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (ESP) 67 65, Scott Jamieson 68 64

134 - Shiv Kapur (IND) 67 67, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69 65

135 - Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 70 65, Danny Willett 66 69, Simon Thornton 71 64, Bradley Dredge 69 66, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 65 70

136 - Andrew Johnston 67 69, Craig Lee 66 70, Garth Mulroy (RSA) 71 65, Paul Waring 67 69, Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 68 68, Martin Kaymer (GER) 65 71, Simon Dyson 70 66, Richard Kind (NED) 67 69, Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 69 67

137 - Steve Webster 66 71, Richie Ramsay 71 66, Damien McGrane 70 67, Anders Hansen (DEN) 70 67, Robert Coles 71 66, Darren Fichardt (RSA) 70 67, Richard S Johnson (SWE) 70 67, Sam Walker 69 68, Jamie Donaldson 70 67, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 69 68, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69 68

138 - Jamie Elson 72 66, Chris Wood 69 69, Richard Green (AUS) 69 69, Peter Lawrie 69 69, Oliver Fisher 67 71, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68 70, Richard Sterne (RSA) 70 68 — AFP

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