Nomad Hamilton chases first victory since Troon triumph six years ago

The 44-year-old, now down at 545th in the world and with only two cuts made in his last 19 events, is just a stroke behind Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and Indian Shiv Kapur at the halfway stage of the KLM Open at Hilversum.

Hamilton, seven-under-par after rounds of 66 and 67, said: "I don't have full status on the US Tour any more, so I looked at the schedule and thought I'd come to places I've never been to.

"When I got here it wasn't the type of course I enjoy playing. You need to drive well and I haven't been doing that as well as I would have liked.

"I thought I'd struggle, but a lot of times whatever you think is going to happen doesn't happen."

Colsaerts had opened the event with a career-low 62, but was able to add only a level-par 70. Losing a ball in the heather at the 476-yard sixth - his 15th - cost the 27-year-old a double-bogey 6 and he finished with another dropped shot.

Kapur, also seeking his first victory on the circuit, managed only three birdies compared to six and an eagle in his first-round 64, but his only bogey came at the short 15th and so he handed in a 68.

Clear favourite for the title is German Martin Kaymer, who in his first tournament since winning the USPGA title four weeks ago has started with two 67s to be just two behind.

Richie Ramsay (three-under) and Alastair Forsyth (par) were the only Scots to survive the cut.