Storm ahead but Willett and Dyson stay close

The 34-year-old is dangerously close to the cut-off mark in the Race to Dubai which would require him to go back to qualifying school.

There are still two months remaining before the end of the season but Storm knows a good finish at Hilversum will massively help his cause.

The Hartlepool golfer is 114th on the money list and probably needs to win another 100,000 euros to safeguard his playing rights and a top-three finish in Holland could achieve that.

Asked if his position in the Race to Dubai had been on his mind Storm replied: “Every day. It has been for the last three months. It is a big struggle missing so many cuts.

“It’s all about momentum and for two days it has gone my way.

“The goal for me still is to keep my card, even though I am leading. If someone comes through then so be it, I just need my card for next year.”

Storm began the day with a two-shot advantage over Martin Kaymer, Fabrizio Zanotti and Raphael Jacquelin.

He returned a score of 66, his second bogey-free round to the tournament, to extend his lead to three over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Sweden’s Peter Hanson.

Sheffield’s Danny Willett is six shots off the lead after following up his opening round of 66 with a 69.

Defending champion Simon Dyson is one shot further back after a round of 66.

Fernandez-Castano, the 2005 winner on this course, is looking to put the disappointment of failing to make the Ryder Cup team behind him.

“My year has been disappointing to say the least. I didn’t play well over the summer,” he said.

“Hopefully I can improve this second half, hopefully with a win, and maybe here as it is a course I like very much.”

Jamieson raced into contention with a 64, the joint-best round of the day, after picking up seven shots in his first 10 holes having started at the ninth but a bogey at the sixth pegged him back slightly.

“Being four under after four holes was a very hot start and a couple more of them would be great,” he said.

“Six under par on any day is great but especially on a course like this where it is tight off the tee.”