AFP, COLOGNE, Germany
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson warmed up for next week’s Ryder Cup with a two-shot victory in the Mercedes-Benz Championship on Sunday to earn his eighth career European Tour title.
The Swede finished with a four-round total of 275, two ahead of Italy’s Francesco Molinari and four in front of New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, England’s Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain.
PHOTO: AP
Karlsson, who will line-up for Europe against the US in the Ryder Cup from Friday, had led from the second round but endured a nervous finish as he tried to earn his first tour title for two years.
He eventually carded a closing 71 for a total of 13 under par.
Karlsson had been six clear at one stage but Molinari birdied four holes in a row from the 12th and Karlsson bogeyed the 16th to see his lead cut to just two.
PHOTO: AFP
However, Molinari then fluffed two birdie putts on the last two holes as Karlsson held on.
“I really appreciate just playing this golf course. It’s in great condition, and today it was a bit windy as well so, it was a bit trickier, so it was good,” said Karlsson who is now second on the Order of Merit.
“Hopefully [Ryder Cup captain] Nick Faldo will be delighted. It was a pretty good result for all of us.”
Ryder Cup teammates Miguel Angel Jimenez, Soren Hansen and Graeme McDowell finished third, eighth and 16th respectively.
Jimenez’s final round of 66 was the best of the day.
“I’m playing very solid, especially yesterday and today I holed some more putts and it’s a nice combination. I feel good and feel like I can make a score and that’s a very good feeling,” said the 44-year-old Spaniard.
Karlsson had not won since the Deutsche Bank Championship, also in Germany, in 2006, but qualified for his second Ryder Cup on the back of nine top 10 finishes this season — including eighth in the US Masters, fourth in the US Open Championship and seventh in the Open Championship.
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