4-way tie atop KLM Open; Hanson 1 Shot back

• By Associated Press
• Sep 8, 2012 2:42 PM ET

HILVERSUM, Netherlands – Graeme Storm of England blew a five-stroke lead midway through the third round and dropped into a four-way tie for the KLM Open lead on Saturday.

Storm, leading since the first round, began the day with a three-stroke advantage, which he extended to five when he birdied the 12th hole on the Hilversumsche course.

But consecutive bogeys at Nos. 13 and 14 and a string of pars left him at a 1-under 69 and tied with Pablo Larrazabal (64), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (66) and Scott Jamieson (66) at 12 under.

Peter Hanson of Sweden was a stroke behind after a 67, and three shots off the pace were Scotland's Richie Ramsay (64) and England's Danny Willett (66).

Storm said he was disappointed with how he finished the round, particularly with his three-putt on No. 18.

''A birdie there would have put me at 13-under-par, but now I find myself tied for the lead,'' he said. ''It would have been nice to just have a few shots lead, but it's not to be, so I am at the top with three others and all to play for.''

Larrazabal, who followed Storm in 2008 as the French Open winner, capped his bogey-free round with five birdies over his last six holes. The Barcelona golfer had just eight putts over his last seven holes.

Larrazabal is seeking his third European Tour title and first since last year's BMW International Open in Munich.

''It was a great finish because I was 3-over-par after five holes on Thursday, and now I am 12 under with 18 holes to play,'' Larrazabal said. ''I have been practicing hard to get myself again in this position, and hopefully I will be there on top tomorrow afternoon.''

Jamieson also enjoyed a good finish with birdies on three of his closing four holes.

''I would have taken 4-under-par when I started the day,'' Jamieson said. ''It was a bit of a slow start, but the three-putt for bogey on 11 was kind of a kick up the backside, and then I played well from there on.''

Fernandez-Castano, who double bogeyed the ninth hole, ended with a flourish with three birdies over his last four holes.

Hanson, who has not tasted success since qualifying for the 2010 Ryder Cup by winning the Czech Open, birdied his closing two holes.

Ryder Cup captain’s pick Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium shot a 67 and was 8 under for the tournament.