Richard masters fast greens to hold three-stroke lead

Richard Green conquered an increasingly difficult course at the Hilversumsche Golf Club today 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 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.

That left him well clear of the chasing pack but the Melbourne-based player, who also has an English home in Bagshot, is aware of what the weekend might bring.

“There is a lot of pressure on me – hopefully I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself. That is the battle,” said the tall left-hander.

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 today, 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, I’m happy with the way I’m hitting it and there are not too many at the top of the leaderboard.

“I’ve made more than my fair share of birdies (12 so far) and I think I can chase down [the leaders] and have a good weekend.”

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.

“The course is tricky, a good test of golf. Play well and you get rewarded - you get lots of chances but if you don’t [take them] you can shoot a high number.”

After hitting a career-low round of 63 yesterday Lynn settled for maintaining his position with a par round of three birdies – two coming at 17 and 18 – and three bogeys.

“I felt a bit better over the ball today but didn’t get anything together until two nice birdies late on salvage what is not a bad score really,” said the Stoke golfer.

“It is always difficult having gone out and shot 63 to throw another low one in. You are conscious of that but the object is to be up there in the frame after three rounds not after one.

“I’ve not lost anything today but I’ve not gained an awful lot.

“But that would be all right if that was my poor round for the week.”