Richard masters fast greens to take three-stroke lead

RICHARD GREEN conquered an increasingly difficult course at the Hilversumsche Golf Club yesterday to take a three-stroke lead in the KLM Open.

Exceptionally warm weather in Holland saw the greens dry out fast but the Australian followed his first-round 65 with a seven-under-par 63 to throw down the gauntlet to his nearest challengers.

They are Andrew Raitt, at nine-under after a 67 today, and first-round leader David Lynn (70), fellow Englishman Miles Tunnicliff (66) and Swede Per Nyman (67) all on seven under. Ryder Cup hopefuls Ian Poulter and Paul McGinley shot 67 and 69, respectively, to lie a stroke further back along with Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin (66).

But Green, who has had back-to-back second places this year in the French and Smurfit European Opens, is the man they all have to catch.

"It's a bit easier to do it on a par-70 course than a 73," Green joked after falling one short of equalling the lowest opening 36-hole total for this event.

"I just stuck to my game plan and fortunately I got a couple of shots close to the pin and picked up a couple of strokes." Green actually had five birdies on the front nine to take him to 10 under and although he bogeyed the par-four 11th he bounced back with three further birdies in his last seven holes.

Much of the outside pressure is expected to come from Poulter and McGinley, who are both playing well and are threatening to pull off a low round some time soon.

Poulter, who had five birdies and two bogeys yesterday, is particularly confident.

"I had two stupid bogeys on the front nine but so be it," said the 28-year-old Englishman, who is currently eighth in the Ryder Cup European points table.

"I played some magnificent golf shots around the back nine and it was all fairly steady. All in all it was a good day. I'm very comfortable."

McGinley, who began at five under but dropped shots at the opening two holes, recovered well and with only one further bogey and four birdies on his card he was relatively pleased after scrambling a par-five at the last after pushing his tee shot into the trees.

"I had a rotten start, got myself back into it and then had an average finish," said the Irishman, who is currently short of Ryder Cup qualification and needs to win at least £200,000 in prize money in the next month to stand a chance.

"I put myself behind the eight-ball but I recovered well and I have to be pleased with a 69.

"Richard Green has shot a really low score but as I have said many times the standard of golf on tour nowadays is colossal. There are so many guys who can play and shoot low numbers."