KLM Open Golf: Martin Kaymer finds his form as Lee opens with 67

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 07/09/2012 03:26

martin Kaymer made a timely return to form under the watchful eye of European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal in the opening round of the KLM Open at Hilversum.

Making his first appearance since carding a pair of 79s to miss the cut in last month’s USPGA Championship, the German shot a five-under-par 65 to sit in a tie for second, two shots behind leader Graeme Storm.

It was Kaymer’s lowest round since March and was produced in his first event since hanging on to the last automatic spot in the European team for the match in Chicago at the end of this month. “I was a little concerned as I didn’t play solid the last two or three days, but I hit a lot of fairways, which was nice,” said the former USPGA champion. “I’ve put a lot of work in 
and it’s nice that some of it has paid off.”

As Storm bagged seven birdies in a flawless opening effort, Stirling’s Craig Lee also got off to an encouraging start as he fights to hang on to his European Tour card for next season.

Taking up where he left off when closing with a 67 to finish 14th in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles a fortnight ago, the Stirling man carded a 66 to earn a share of fifth spot.

“It’s a great golf course and I really enjoyed it out there,” said Lee, who is lying 109th in the Race to Dubai and needs to make the most of every opportunity he gets between now and the end of the season. “I hit an early-morning 3-iron at my 
second hole [the tenth] and made a bogey there, but I settled down after that and got into a nice rhythm.”

Richie Ramsay, bidding for back-to-back wins on the European Tour, opened with a 71.