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Karlsson shows sparkling form in Germany ahead of Ryder Cup

12/09/2008

Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson fired a 69 to lead at the halfway stage of the Mercedes-Benz championship in Cologne.

Ahead of the clash with America on September 19th, the Swede sunk three birdies to lie on eight-under par to edge ahead of France's Jean Francosi Lucquin (71).

Karlsson's Ryder Cup team-mate Soren Hansen went round in 67, which included six birdies in his first seven holes, to lie on four under.

In a see-saw round, Dane Hansen had one triple bogey and two bogeys along with his ten birdies.

Hansen, looking to become the first player to retain the Mercedes Benz title, said he was pleased with his comeback after dropping shots on the 11th.

"You're standing there before going out thinking this is going to be a round of survival because of the weather but I came out hitting good shots and making birdies and it just clicked," Hansen said.

"There's a lot of things going on with the Ryder Cup next week and defending here, and there's a lot of questions.

"Yesterday I was tired but I had a good night's sleep and I felt ready to go."

Meanwhile, Sweden's Peter Hanson is in third place on six-under and England's Richard is on five-under after a second round of 73.