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).