Golf – KLM Open update:Damien McGrane remains firmly in touch at the midway point of the KLM Open at Hilversum where he is three shots off the overnight lead held by India's Shiv Kapur and Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts.
McGrane signed for a second round 67 at the par 70 venue to move inside the top 15 on five under heading into the weekend. The Meath pro enjoyed four birdies on the front nine to turn in 31, while two further birdies and three dropped shots took some of the shine of his round.
Kapur carded a second round 68 compared to Colsaerts’ level par 70 to lead on eight under 132. That left the pair one ahead of former British Open champion Todd Hamilton (67), Sweden's Christian Nilsson (65) and France's Jean-Francois Lucquin (67).
Martin Kaymer was in a large chasing pack on six under after the US PGA champion returned a second consecutive 67. The 25-year-old was also named the tour's golfer of the month for August today after his maiden major success at Whistling Straits.
Peter Lawrie had a mixed bag of six birdies and four bogeys in a round of 68 to move up to three under. The Dubliner signed off with a pair of closing birdies.
A trio of Irish players were bunched on one under; Darren Clarke (71), Gareth Maybin (67) and Michael Hoey (67), while Shane Lowry is safely into the weekend after a 69 left Offaly golfer level par, the same mark as Simon Thornton (71).
With time running out to retain his tour card, Thornton is 144th on the Race to Dubai standings and some €50,000 off the magical top 115 players who will keep their playing rights for next season.
Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul McGinley (73) and the struggling Gary Murphy (73) will both have the weekend off as they finished on four over.