Søren Hansen and Peter Uihlein are both keen to put their recent injury woes behind them this weekend after achieving a promising position at the halfway stage of the KLM Open.
American Uihlein, a winner in Madeira last season, missed seven straight cuts earlier in the year as he battled a back complaint, but showed his undoubted talent with an outward 28 at Kennemer Golf & Country Club.
Three bogeys on the way in prevented the 25-year-old challenging leader Pablo Larrazábal, but a second round 68 had him six under for the week and nicely placed inside the top five.
“Any time under par on this course is good and I’m happy with that start,” said Uihlein. “I’m looking forward to the weekend.
“I got off to a quick start. There were a lot of positives to take today and I’m looking forward to the weekend - to shoot 28 on the front nine was cool.
“The form has been coming back. I’m driving it better; I didn’t drive it great on my second nine today as it was tough to get a rhythm. That’s the mind-set I’m going with, hit a lot of drivers, chase it and see where it takes me.
“The form is coming back, I’ve just got to let it go. The back is fine now. I just needed to get in better shape and I’m not getting into a playing rhythm and I’m trying to finish off the year well.”
Hansen won on The European Tour in 2007 and 2008 and represented Europe in the 2008 Ryder Cup, but has not recorded a top-three finish since 2010 and has been outside the top 100 on The Race to Dubai in each of the last three seasons.
A wrist injury has largely hampered his progress in that time, but the 40 year old Dane believes his best form is starting to come back after rounds of 68 and 66 saw him join Uihlein on six under.
“I’m very satisfied,” said Hansen. “It was an early wake up call, and I did well today. I putter very, very well today, all day. That’s why I am sitting at six under right now.
“This morning I made a double bogey on the second last hole, but then birdied the last which kept the spirit high over the break and I then I just went out and putted really well.
“The game has slowly been showing some good signs. I’m still having some problems with my wrist so I have to take it a little easy on the range, but all in all I’m satisfied. I had a year off golf with the wrist and I’ve had rehab on it. It bothers me if I do too much and have to ice it. I’m just getting old I think - I like my fitness and practising, but I can’t do both so I’ve chosen golf.
“It’s not keeping me from playing. A month back it did and I missed Denmark, but fingers crossed it is fine this week and I am enjoying every minute of it here in Holland.”
