Worldwide Golf

ROBERT Karlsson won his tenth European Tour title with a superb three-shot victory over defending champion Alvaro Quiros at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters. Karlsson shot a sublime final round 7-under 65 to post a 15-under total and take home the cheque for €294,584.

“The focus this year was to come back and start to put together good rounds and a then a string of good rounds and then you never know what's going to happen,” said Karlsson, who missed large periods of 2009 with an eye injury. “That’s the thing I am most happy with. It’s not really the win, it’s fantastic to win, but to play four really good rounds together, that’s the most satisfying.”

Karlsson peppered the flag all the day and shot a bogey free round with three birdies on the outward half and four coming home – including two at the final two holes.

“It has surprised me a little bit,” he added. “Especially the way I played during the final round. But if you go out and shoot a 65 in the last day of a tournament after being a couple behind, usually you will have a good chance and obviously it was my day.”

Overnight leaders Paul Casey and Bradley Dredge both faltered over the final 18 holes, closing with 74s to drop into a share of fifth place. Lee Westwood posted a 2-under 70 to claim third place while Quiros shot up from sixth place into second place after a superb 5-under. “I played very good and I had my chances,” said Quiros. “The wind on Thursday put me out a little bit, but I chipped in two times and holed a very long putt in my final round so I have to be thankful.”