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Karlsson holds on to win in Wales

04/06/2006

Swedish golfer Robert Karlsson managed to hold on to win the Celtic Manor Wales Open, despite a poor final round.

Karlsson finished the tournament with a two over par round of 71 to take the title by three shots.

Despite finishing with an over-par round, Karlsson's huge six shot lead going into the final 18 holes proved to be too large for the chasing pack to overturn.

After moving eight shots clear of the field after just three holes, the Swede began to look increasingly nervous, dropping shots left, right and centre.

He dropped four shots in nine holes, but managed to regain the consistent form he had shown throughout the tournament to secure the win.

Paul Broadhurst eventually claimed second spot, with a birdie at the final hole to finish with a round of 68.

Colin Montgomery again managed to shoot an under-par score of 67, but was robbed of third place by a strong final round by Jose-Filipe Lima, who shot a 64 on his way to claiming third position.

The win was Karlsson's sixth on the European Tour, but it was a welcome victory as the Swede had failed to win a title for four years.

It will also provide a considerable boost to his chances of representing the European team at the Ryder Cup. The points earned from the victory should put him into ninth place on the Ryder Cup table, with the top ten automatically earning a spot on the team.

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