Stalter leads KLM Open after landmark ace for Ilonen

After gusting winds and driving rain interrupted proceedings in Spijk on Thursday, much of the field were forced to finish their first rounds before embarking upon their second on Friday.

The likes of Richard Finch, who shared the clubhouse lead after day one, are only six holes into their second rounds, but Stalter was one man to complete 36 holes, adding a four-under 67 to his opening 65 to sit one stroke clear at 10 under.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat carded rounds of 68 and 65 to head into the weekend one stroke behind Stalter, while Sebastian Heisele sits outright third on eight under. Joakim Lagergren is three shots back, still with half of his second round to play.

Although the day ultimately belonged to Stalter, Ilonen secured himself a slice of history with an ace at the par-three 14th during his first round.

Remarkably, the Finn almost repeated the feat at the same hole in his second round, the ball resting to within a foot of the pin before he made birdie.

"I played really solid – it was tough at the beginning. I gave up two shots but then I really got it back strong," said Stalter, who bogeyed two of his first three holes in the second round before recovering to post six birdies.

"It's too bad because I maybe could have had a couple more birdies at the end but it was a really good round and I'm really proud of myself because it was a really long day.