Agencies/Stockholm
While Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson was teeing off his round, his amateur namesake was putting the finishing touches to an impressive opening 67 at the Nordea Masters in Stockholm yesterday.
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson plans his putt on the 9th green on the first day of the Nordea Scandinavian Golf Masters at the Bro Hof golf club yesterday in Stockholm
The 41-year-old 11-time European Tour winner was installed pre-tournament as the home nation’s top challenger challenge at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club.
However, he was overshadowed by a 22-year-old playing making only his second appearance in a professional event in three years, having missed the cut in 2009’s SAS Masters in Malmo.
Having picked up just one stroke in his first five holes, at the 432-yard third, the amateur Karlsson carded five birdies between the sixth and 13th.
A double-bogey at the short 17th in increasingly wet conditions dropped him back to four under but he bounced back with a birdie at the last.
That gave him the early clubhouse joint lead with fellow Swede Alexander Noren, who started on the back nine, and South African Jaco van Zyl.
England’s John Parry is one shot off the lead after a 68, which included five birdies and just one bogey.
The professional Karlsson, one of the afternoon starters, was level par after eight holes after a birdie at the third was immediately handed back at the par-three fourth.
American Bubba Watson finished with a one-over 71 after carding four birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey in his last 10 holes.
Compatriot Dustin Johnson, the pre-tournament favourite after his second place at the Open on Sunday, was two over after eight holes with three bogeys and just one birdie.
Amateur Robert Karlsson, who only secured entry to the tournament at the start of the week, enjoyed his opening round. “That was a great start to the tournament, obviously,” he said.
“Ever since I qualified on Monday I’ve been trying to really enjoy this experience. It’s hard not to smile.”
