Lee Westwood in contention as Joel Stalter leads delayed KLM Open

By Ali Stafford

Lee Westwood carded a bogey-free 65 to move within three strokes of the lead at the halfway stage of the KLM Open.

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KLM Open

The Englishman struck six birdies in a flawless display at The Dutch to get to seven under for the week and three back from clubhouse leader Joel Stalter.

Stalter added a 67 to his weather-delayed opening-round 65, with half of the field unable to complete their second rounds before play was suspended due to darkness 7.50pm local time (6.50pm BST).

Image: Stalter finished fifth on the Alps Tour last week

Beginning on the back nine, Westwood birdied his opening hole and added close range gains at the 13th and 15th on his way to reaching the turn in 33.

Westwood rolled in from five feet at the third and drained a 15-footer at the next, before completing his blemish-free card with a close-range gain at the ninth.

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"That 65 for the second round could easily have been 61," Westwood said. "I am hitting the ball well. If I can play like I did in the second round today then I'll have a chance over the weekend."

Stalter recovered from two bogeys over his first three holes to card seven bogeys and register the 36-hole score of his European Tour career, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat one off the pace after a second-round 65.

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Overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger was level-par for the day and five off the pace after 12 holes, with defending champion Joost Luiten two over for the tournament with six holes of his round remaining.

Play will resume at 8am local time on Saturday, with the third round to be a two-tee start and not begin any earlier than 11.30am.

Watch the KLM Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 2pm.

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