But while Storm will spend the day trying to challenge the top of the leaderboard, fellow Hartlepool golfer Simon Robinson is on his way home after failing to make the cut at the Ypsilon Golf Challenge, in the Czech Republic.

Storm was one over par going into yesterday's second round at the tournament in Holland but an impressive knock of 64 left the 30-year-old five under par, as he begins his third day this afternoon.

That has put Storm just three shots behind overnight joint leader Darren Clarke who did his chances of getting a Ryder Cup wild card pick no harm at all.

After a solid start to his round with four pars on the opening four holes, Storm picked up the pace with a birdie at the par four fifth.

That was just the start as Storm hit a further six birdies – on the seventh, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th.

The only blip on the scorecard was a bogey at the par three 11th.

Clarke also managed a round of 64 to take the lead from home player Rolf Muntz and the Ulsterman claimed he was worthy of a pick for next month's Ryder Cup from captain Nick Faldo.

"If Nick then feels I am worthy of a pick, so be it," said Clarke. "If not then that's acceptable.

"My attitude is just pretty good. I've taken a lot of pressure off myself and feel comfortable. I've been playing well and I'm in a good position now."

There was no such good fortune for Robinson who had made a pretty solid start to the latest stage in his quest to join Storm on the main European tour.

The Wynyard and Seaton Carew player shot a one under par round of 70 on the opening day and he repeated that trick yesterday.

But that wasn't enough on a high scoring course and Robinson missed the cut by just one shot.