Karlsson win all but assures Ryder Cup berth
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2006 Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe | Wrap | 31 Jul 2006
2006 has seen a significant turnaround in the golfing fortunes of Swede Robert Karlsson and this week that turnaround continued as he walked away with the Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe.
A double bogey at the 72nd hole even further flattered the chasing pack as Karlsson maintained his overnight lead of four over Lee Westwood while 21 year old South African, Charles Schwartzel, continued his recent progress also and joined Westwood in second place.
For Karlsson, this not only represents his biggest win in golf but the performance could not have been better timed. With only a month to go until the European Ryder Cup squad is named, Karlsson has moved well inside the cut off point for automatic qualification which will be made on September 3rd, following the BMW International.
Karlsson is effectively second on the European Ryder Cup points list after those who would qualify on world ranking qualification have been taken out and so his Ryder Cup debut at the K Club on September 22nd is looking increasingly likely.
Karlsson actually lost a ball at the last hole something that seldom happens in tournament golf in the modern day but with such as lead as he played the 72nd it was not an issue.
Schwartzel continued some impressive form of his own in recent weeks following his 22nd place at the Open last week and a runner up placing in Scotland. Still only 21 years of age the South African will only get better and the much heralded youngster is already beginning to fulfil the potential he has always shown.
Westwood blotted his copybook early when he double bogeyed the fourth after an early birdie but he managed to find another six birdies and in doing so followed up on recent good form that started when fourth at the European Open three weeks ago.
Emanuele Canonica, Retief Goosen, Graeme McDowell and Andres Romero also finished strongly for a share for fourth.
Romero has now finished runner up at the Scottish Open, 8th at the Open Championship and now fourth in his last three starts. He has gone a long way already to securing the ’rookie of the year’ honours.
The best of the Australians was the only one to make the cut, Matthew Millar who finished 22nd and has moved to 103rd on the Order of Merit with €161,000. Michael Campbell made the cut but finished well back.
The European Tour now heads to the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters in Malmo, where defending champion Mark Hensby attempts to rebuild a season which has seen him struggling.
