Kapur lying second at KLM Open, Jeev fifth

HILVERSUM - Indian Shiv Kapur added a steady two-under 68 to go with is first round six-under 64 from the first round to move to eight-under 132 for two rounds at the KLM Open here Friday.

The 28-year-old Kapur, who has been going through a lean patch after losing a lay-off at the South African Open last December is now in a position to have a shy at his maiden European Tour title.

Giving the leaderboard a strong Indian touch was Jeev Milkha Singh, already a three-time European Tour winner, who shot second five-under 65 to move to six-under 134 after his first round of 69.

Jyoti Randhawa had rounds of 74 and 68 to be two-over 142 and was in danger of missing the cut.

The second round was still in progress.

Kapur had a round of three birdies and a solitary bogey at the Hilversumsche Golf Club. Having started patiently with seven consecutive pars, the former Asian Tour rookie of the year hit his approach to 12 feet at the eighth for his first birdie.

He collected two more, at the 12th and 17th, with his only dropped shot coming at the par three 15th. Kapur was level at the top with overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts.

The big-hitting Belgian was among the afternoon wave of players and played his first eight holes in level par.

One behind in the clubhouse on seven under were former Open Champion Todd Hamilton - playing in Europe after losing his playing card on the US PGA Tour - and Swede Christian Nilsson.

Hamilton, a Major Champion at Royal Troon in 2004 but now 545th in the Official World Golf Ranking, had four birdies and a bogey in his round of 67.

Former Saint Omer Open winner Nilsson’s 65 included an eagle at the 484 yard par five 12th.

The group tied for fifth included golf’s most recent Major winner - Martin Kaymer continuing to impress on his return to the game after his US PGA Championship heroics with a second consecutive 67.

At six-under was home favourite Joost Luiten - second here in 2007 - who made a brilliant birdie at the sixth when, having found trouble off the tee, hacked out sideways onto the fairway and holed his approach, the ball spinning eight feet from the back of the green into the cup.

England’s Danny Willett, in-form Australian Brett Rumford and Jeev were also in the clubhouse with 134 halfway totals.