HILVERSUM, Netherlands, Sept 7, 2012 (AFP) - The Englishman ended the day at 11 under, three clear of Scott Jamieson, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Peter Hanson.
Hanson was one of three European Ryder Cup players in the field and in contention. Nicolas Colsaerts shot 65 to reach five under, while Martin Kaymer -- the winner here in 2010 -- is a shot further back.
Although he is eager to secure a second European Tour title, Storm admits his primary focus remains securing a top-115 finish in The Race to Dubai after a disappointing season so far.
He currently lies 114th, with the closing stages of the season fast approaching.
"It is a big struggle missing so many cuts," he said of his poor run of form.
"I played nicely last week (en route to a share of 41st place in the European Masters) and I was hoping to bring it here. At the moment I am and I just hope it continues.
"It makes a change to have all red on my card. Hopefully I used all the bogeys up last week in Crans.
"The goal for me still is to keep my card, even though I am leading. If someone comes through then so be it, I just need my card for next year."
Together with Belgium's Colsaerts, Spain's Fernandez-Castano was the pick of the morning starters, carding four birdies and an eagle either side of a solitary dropped shot.
"I think I could have hit the ball better but my scoring was very good thanks to my short game," he said.
"Overall I am very happy with eight under after two rounds. This is one of my favourite courses of the year. It gets the best out of my game."
Swede Hanson made solid progress in a second successive 66, mixing 15 pars with two birdies and an eagle at the par-five 12th.
Jamieson, who started at the tenth, roared into contention after picking up six shots in the first 10 holes of his round, but lost his outright hold on second with a bogey at the sixth.
Pablo Larrazabal of Spain and India's Shiv Kapur shared fifth, two behind the second placed trio, while Ireland's Simon Thornton finished with an eagle to match Jamieson's 64 and move into the group at five under.
Leading second round scores in the European Tour KLM Open at Hilversum on Friday (GBR and IRL unless stated, par 70):
129 - Graeme Storm 63 66
132 - Peter Hanson (SWE) 66 66, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (ESP) 67 65, Scott Jamieson 68 64
134 - Shiv Kapur (IND) 67 67, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69 65
135 - Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 70 65, Danny Willett 66 69, Simon Thornton 71 64, Bradley Dredge 69 66, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 65 70
136 - Andrew Johnston 67 69, Craig Lee 66 70, Garth Mulroy (RSA) 71 65, Paul Waring 67 69, Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 68 68, Martin Kaymer (GER) 65 71, Simon Dyson 70 66, Richard Kind (NED) 67 69, Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 69 67
137 - Steve Webster 66 71, Richie Ramsay 71 66, Damien McGrane 70 67, Anders Hansen (DEN) 70 67, Robert Coles 71 66, Darren Fichardt (RSA) 70 67, Richard S Johnson (SWE) 70 67, Sam Walker 69 68, Jamie Donaldson 70 67, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 69 68, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69 68
138 - Jamie Elson 72 66, Chris Wood 69 69, Richard Green (AUS) 69 69, Peter Lawrie 69 69, Oliver Fisher 67 71, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68 70, Richard Sterne (RSA) 70 68