Karlsson hits form on eve of Ryder Cup with victory in Cologne

13 April 2012

Robert Karlsson warmed up in perfect style for next week's Ryder Cup with his first victory for two years, in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Europe captain Nick Faldo had further reasons to celebrate too - with fellow team members Miguel Angel Jimenez, Soren Hansen and Graeme McDowell third, eighth and 16th respectively.

Karlsson began the final day with a three-stroke lead, despite suffering a one-shot penalty after his third round yesterday, and carded a closing 71 at Gut Larchenhof.

Peaking at the right time: Karlsson's victory will be a major boon to the European team ahead of the Ryder Cup, which begins on Friday


That gave the 6ft 5in Swede a total of 13 under par and with a two-shot victory over Italy's Francesco Molinari.

Karlsson had been six clear at one stage in the final round. But Molinari birdied four holes in a row from the 12th, and Karlsson bogeyed the 16th to see his lead cut to just two.

Molinari then left a birdie putt on the 17th agonisingly short of the hole and missed another birdie chance on the last as Karlsson held his nerve to claim the £270,000 first prize.

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