Muntz leads KLM Open, but Hansen is in the hunt

8/21/2008

Soren Hansen has struggled of late and Justin Rose has been losing sleep, but both took big strides towards securing their Ryder Cup places at The KLM Open on Thursday.

Their rivals were not big enough to see them catch Dutchman Rolf Muntz, who was the star of the opening round at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club with a six under par 64, but they are firmly in contention.

For Denmark’s Hansen, who shot a brilliant 65 to share second with John Bickerton, it could mean the end of a mini-slump. In his last four events, his best position has been a tie for 64th at The Open Championship, but his form here seems inspired.

Hansen currently occupies the tenth spot in the Ryder Cup Team, just €268 ahead of Martin Kaymer, who is two over par after a 72. The closeness of the battle has concerned him for more than a month, but he feels his game is getting back to the stunning level he showed earlier in the season.

Bickerton played flawless golf in his round of 65. The Englishman collected strokes at the third, fifth and sixth holes, before turning and gaining birdies at the 13th and 16th.

It leaves him a shot ahead of Noren Alexander, while Rose, Rafa Echenique, Anthony Wall, Simon Khan, Damien McGrane, Phillip Price, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Raphael Jacquelin are a shot further back on three under.

World Number 12 Rose had a bogey-free 67 and admitted he had barely slept the night before.

Starting on the back nine he birdied the 11th, fourth and sixth and during monsoon-like conditions over the closing stretch scrambled brilliantly to avoid losing ground.

Former British amateur champion Muntz avoided the worst of the weather.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1. Rolf Muntz                       NED  64  - 6
2. John Bickerton                  ENG  65 - 5
    Soren Hansen                   DEN  65 - 5
4. Alexander Noren               SWE  66 - 4
5. Rafa Echenique                ARG  67 - 3
    Jean-Baptiste Gonnet        FRA  67 - 3
    Raphaël Jacquelin             FRA  67 - 3
    Simon Khan                      ENG  67 - 3
    Damien McGrane               IRL  67 - 3
    Phillip Price                      WAL  67 - 3
    Justin Rose                       ENG  67 - 3
    Anthony Wall                    ENG  67 - 3
 

Source: European Tour