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Karlsson makes bright start to Mercedes-Benz Championship

11/09/2008

Sweden's Robert Karlsson has begun his preparations for the Ryder Cup in fine form after finishing the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship one shot off the lead.

Karlsson carded a round of five-under-par to trail England's Richard Finch and Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin.

Lucquin continued where he had left off after winning the European Masters last week with a fine six-under-par that included just one dropped shot on the opening 18 holes in Cologne.

The Frenchman made birdies at three of the first four holes before a bogey at the fifth, however, a further four birdies put him on top of the leaderboard overnight.

He was joined by Finch after he also shot a round of 66. The Englishman blazed a trail around the opening seven holes, making five birdies before two successive bogeys at the eighth and ninth brought him back to the rest of the field.

But three more birdies at the start of the back nine were enough to ensure he was towards the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day.

Karlsson was also in form with the putter, making eight birdies during his round. However, bogeys at the second and ninth holes cost him the chance to match the rounds of Lucquin and Finch.

England's Ross Fisher, a Ryder Cup team-mate of Karlsson's, also put himself in contention after the first round. He is two shots off the lead on four-under-par.

Fellow Ryder Cup stars Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell both made solid starts to the tournament with level-par rounds.