• KLM Open, Round Two

Colsaerts backs Kaymer despite Friday struggle

Martin Kaymer had a tougher time on day two © Getty Images

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Martin Kaymer failed to replicate his solid opening round at the KLM Open on Friday, as he slipped behind fellow Ryder Cup wildcard Nicolas Colsaerts as both remained near the top of the leaderboard.

The German, desperately searching for form ahead of the international team event at the end of the month, carded a round of 65 at Hilversumsche on Thursday but slipped back into his old ways on Friday - struggling to a one-over par round of 71 to sit on four-under for the tournament.

Afterwards Kaymer insisted that he had played well from tee to green, but had been let down by his putting.

"I played a lot better than I did yesterday, I thought," said the German. "I had a lot more control over the ball, but didn't hole a putt. It was very frustrating, but I'm playing OK.

"I'm doing a good process, and that's most important. Today wasn't my best round, but in general I feel OK about my swing now."

That left him one shot adrift of playing partner Colsaerts; the Belgian finding his touch to shoot 65 and leap up to five-under after 36 holes. Neither man had played together before this week in the Netherlands, but Colsaerts said their shared situation had helped spark an immediate bond.

"We have never played together. This is the first time," Colsaerts said. "We just chatted about how good the timing is to play together and see each other's game. It is funny, as soon as you see someone involved there is this little connection. You feel and sense it is special and on people's minds.

"I felt he played really good yesterday. You could see the rust of not playing for a few weeks was there but I'm not concerned about him being ready for the big thing."

Both men nevertheless have a lot of work to do over the weekend if they want to win the event, with Graeme Storm claiming the runaway clubhouse lead at 11-under. The Englishman got off to a fast start with a round of 63 on Thursday and kept accelerating, shooting 66 on Friday to ensure he will be the man to beat going into the weekend.

Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano recorded a round of 65 to move to eight-under for the tournament, while Simon Dyson is level with Kaymer four shots back.

Peter Hanson is eight-under, and Paul Casey has fallen to one-under.

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