Nicolas Colsaerts credited a relaxed approach for his impressive display on day two of the KLM Open.
The Belgian has been one of the star attractions in Hilversum this week after gaining selection for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Medinah.
Paired with European Captain José María Olazábal and team-mate Martin Kaymer for the opening rounds, Colsaerts, who finished eighth here two years ago, has responded confidently with scores of 70 and 65.
After today’s round, which lifted him into the top five, he said: “This is a place that has always been pretty kind to me; I like the course and on top of everything else it puts me in a cool place of mind.
“I played really good - I drove the ball fantastically. I had a lot of short irons into the greens and I putted a lot better than yesterday. Everything just came together.”
Although keen to focus on this week’s event, Colsaerts revealed the Ryder Cup had been a topic of discussion between him and Kaymer.
“We have never played together. This is the first time,” he explained.
“We just chatted about how good the timing is to play together and see each other’s game.
“ It is funny, as soon as you see someone involved there is this little connection. You feel and sense it is special and on people's minds.
“I felt he played really good yesterday (when Kaymer shot 65). You could see the rust of not playing for a few weeks was there but I’m not concerned about him being ready for the big thing.”
Kaymer, a player seeking to regain the form that took him to World Number One, believed his putting was to blame as he signed for a second round 71.
“I played a lot better than I did yesterday, I thought,” said the German.
“I had a lot more control over the ball, but didn’t hole a putt. It was very frustrating, but I’m playing OK.
“I’m doing a good process, and that’s most important. Today wasn’t my best round, but in general I feel OK about my swing now.”
Another member of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team, Peter Hanson, moved within three of the lead at eight under courtesy of a second successive 66.
“It was pretty similar to yesterday. I got off to a good start and played pretty steady,” he explained.
“Towards the end I lost it a little bit and didn't get any good birdie opportunities, then I had to fight to make par on the last, which almost feels like a bogey.
“But it is nice to have a bogey free round. If you play one of these tree-lined courses and the wind gets up it is always tricky and it is hard to be really accurate and get it close to the hole. So I had a few more 15 foot and 25 foot putts there today."
