Green steals lead in testing conditions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Richard Green conquered an increasingly difficult course yesterday to take a three-stroke lead in the KLM Dutch Open.
Exceptionally warm weather 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 on Friday, and the first-round leader David Lynn, his fellow Englishman Miles Tunnicliff and the Swede Per Nyman, 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 the Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin.
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."
Poulter, who had five birdies and two bogeys yesterday, was particularly confident about his game . "I had two stupid bogeys on the front nine but so be it," said the 28-year-old Englishman, who is eighth in the European Ryder Cup points table.
Klm Dutch Open (Hilversum) Leading early second round scores: 128 R Green (Aus) 65 63; 131 A Raitt (GB) 64 67; 133 D Lynn (GB) 63 70, P Nyman (Swe) 66 67, M Tunnicliff (GB) 67 66; 134 M A Martin (Sp) 68 66,
P McGinley (Irl) 65 69, I Poulter (GB) 67 67; 135 G Brand Jr (GB) 68 67.
* The British Open champion, Karen Stupples, made seven birdies in a six-under-par 65 for a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic on Thursday, hours after a 13-hour flight from London. Stupples said she "floated around the course" after arriving in the Toledo area on Wednesday evening.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments