• KLM Open, Round One

Casey turns corner at KLM Open; Kaymer proves point

Paul Casey has made just one cut since April © Getty Images

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Paul Casey's faltering game showed signs it was flickering back into life on day one of the KLM Open at Hilversumsche - and the same was true of Martin Kaymer.

Casey has endured a torrid season after struggling with injury: he has a best finish of 25th on the European Tour, and has made only one cut since April.

The former world No. 3 was laid low most recently by a shoulder problem, but has also been suffering with rib, toe and shoulder complaints over the past year.

His injury woe meant he was never seriously in the running for a place in Jose Maria Olazabal's Ryder Cup team, and was unable to add to his three previous appearances for Europe.

It has been tough year for Casey, an 11-time European Tour winner, to bear - but he did at least manage a step in the right direction on Thursday. Starting on the back nine, he was two-over through five holes, before a birdie at 18 sparked him into life, and precipitated four more birdies on the way in.

He signed for a 67 which left him four shots behind leader Graeme Storm (seven-under), and only two behind the chasing pack including Fabrizio Zanotti, Kaymer and Raphael Jacquelin. It was a welcome return to form for Kaymer, whose motivation and fitness have been questioned of late.

The former world No. 1 raised eyebrows when he elected not to defend his precarious position in the Ryder Cup team at the Johnnie Walker Championship last month, and he is without a top-ten finish on the European Tour since April. However, on Thursday he looked more than capable of starring for Europe at Medinah, posting a 65 that featured an eagle and five birdies.

First-round leader Storm was one of the last to finish, and he stayed flawless through the 18 holes for a round of 63. Closing on the front nine, the Brit found birdies at seven and eight to move ahead of the field.

Peter Hanson, who will join Kaymer at the Ryder Cup, had a 66 to put pressure on the leaders, while David Lynn, second in the US PGA Championship last month, posted a 69.

Another member of Olazabal's team, Nicolas Colsaerts, signed for a 70, leaving him level with defending champion Simon Dyson. Olazabal finds himself one shot behind that pair.

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