Karlsson captures the Order of Merit

Robert Karlsson, the first Swede to capture The European Tour Order of Merit, will take 72 hours to savour the enormity of his achievement – and then concentrate on defending that title in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai this week. The 39 year old, who claimed the Harry Vardon Trophy ahead of Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood of England in the final Volvo Masters at Valderrama, is already relishing the start of a new campaign when The Race to Dubai commences at Sheshan International Golf Club on Thursday. Karlsson, who finished tied 32nd in the final event of the 2008 season, said: “I played so well at the HSBC Champions a couple of years ago and I love the course at Sheshan. “My form is good and I am playing well – I didn’t putt very well at Valderrama last week and it was very hard to concentrate with all the Order of Merit business, but I am still very confident that I can do something in China. “It feels fantastic to start the new season and The Race to Dubai so quickly after winning the Order of Merit. The fact that The Race to Dubai is about to start is pretty exciting and for it to be starting with an event like the HSBC Champions in China is great. “The tournament always attracts an amazing field and this week is no different – it is one of those tournaments with a great atmosphere among the players because, basically, all of the best players in the world are there. “The sponsors, HSBC, have developed a much deserved reputation for staging high quality golf tournaments across the world, and I am certain the latest HSBC Champions will be another. Everyone connected with the tournament is to be applauded for that.” In becoming the first Swedish player to finish European Tour Number One, Karlsson cemented his place in golf’s history books. A quite amazing season, in which he won twice – at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – saw him elevate his game to a new level. Not only did his level of consistency border on the frightening, but he proved he is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest players with top eight finishes in three of the four Major Championships as well as a box-office performance at The Ryder Cup in America. Those stunning results, coupled with a further seven top tens throughout the year, helped the 39 year old amass €2,732,749 in European Tour prize money – enough to finish ahead of double Major Champion Harrington, who took second place, with Westwood narrowly behind the Irishman in third. “This is by far my greatest achievement in golf – I never thought I would be in this position so it’s just incredible,” said Karlsson, who will make his second appearance at Sheshan International. On his previous visit to Shanghai at the start of the 2007 campaign, he recovered from a first round 73 with subsequent rounds of 68-69-70 for an eight under par total of 280 and a share of sixth place, four shots behind runner-up Tiger Woods and six shots adrift of the eventual champion, Y E Yang of Korea. The inclusion of Karlsson in the field strengthens what is already a superb line up; headed by World Number Two Phil Mickelson of the United States and Harrington, a winner of two Major Championships in 2008. In addition, reigning Masters Tournament Champion Trevor Immelman will tee up alongside players of the calibre of Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson. Of course, the HSBC Champions also heralds the start of the inaugural Race to Dubai on The 38th European Tour International Schedule, a global journey which will comprise at least 53 tournaments in 27 destinations before reaching a thrilling crescendo with the Dubai World Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai in November 2009.