Karlsson wins play-off at St Andrews

10/6/2008

Robert Karlsson was left lost for words after beating Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer in a three-way play-off to take the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The Swede shot 65 at The Old Course to finish with a ten under par total of 278 but a birdie at the first extra hole gave him victory and took him top of The Order of Merit.

Karlsson, who won the Mercedes-Benz Championship in September, got off to a flying start with three birdies in his first four holes.

He also picked up shots at the seventh, tenth, 11th and 14th to leapfrog Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington at the top of The Order of Merit with a bogey free 65.

Kaymer, who shared the overnight lead with Jarmo Sandelin, produced a four under par 68 but will rue his only bogey of the day at the 17th which came when he needed to par the last two holes for victory.

The 23 year old also missed a birdie putt at the 18th that would have given him the title.

Fisher played the front nine of The Old Course in a five under 31, the Englishman posting five birdies before reaching the turn.

Sandelin finished in fourth place after a 70 left him eight under.

Leaderboard – Final:

1. Robert Karlsson                     SWE  67 70 76 65 278 -10
2. Ross Fisher                            ENG  64 76 73 65 278 -10
    Martin Kaymer                       GER  65 72 73 68 278 -10
4. Jarmo Sandelin                      SWE  66 72 72 70 280 - 8
5. Magnus A. Carlsson                SWE  70 68 73 70 281 - 7
    José-Filipe Lima                     POR  67 71 75 68 281 - 7
    Anthony Wall                          ENG  66 76 71 68 281 - 7
8. Paul Casey                             ENG  72 70 72 68 282 - 6
    Jamie Donaldson                    WAL  70 70 75 67 282 - 6
    Soren Hansen                         DEN  64 73 77 68 282 - 6
    Rory McIlroy                            NIR  68 69 78 67 282 - 6
    Lee Westwood                         ENG  68 70 76 68 282 - 6

Source: European Tour