In 2008, Robert Karlsson realised his true potential and enjoyed his most successful
spell in 20 years as a professional. He became the first Swedish player to win the
European Tour’s Order of Merit, and his victories in the Mercedes Benz and the Alfred
Dunhill Links Championships took his total of victories on the Tour to nine, the most by
any male Swede.
He also recorded top-10 finishes in the US Masters, the US Open and The Open
Championship, and when he finished tied for 20th in the PGA Championship, he and Phil
Mickelson were the only players to achieve top-20 finishes in all four of the major
championships.
As a consequence in January this year, Robert Karlsson was presented with Sweden’s
Male Athlete of the Year award – the first time a golfer was considered worthy of
this prestigious accolade.
He capped his brilliant 2008 by teaming up with his countryman Hendrik Stenson to win
the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, and when they arrived in Sun City for the 2008 Nedbank
Golf Challenge, they were both at the top of their games. As a first-timer at the Gary
Player Country Club last year, Karlsson may have been overshadowed by Stenson’s
brilliant performance, but his third place finish on nine-under par was certainly more
than credible.
It was clear that the Gary Player Country Club’s layout suited his brand of play,
and even on the unfamiliar course he produced a performance that included precision
ball-striking and some canny course management.
During the long climb to the top of his profession, Karlsson suffered various
disappointments, which included twice being overlooked for Ryder Cup selection – once
by team captain Mark James and then by Sam Torrance. On both occasions it seemed that
although only just missing out on automatic selection, he might have been an obvious
choice as a captain’s pick.
At the time it was not to be, but since then he has more than made up for this, and no
one can now query his right to be considered to be among Europe’s elite players.
During the 2006 Ryder Cup he was one of the top performers in the winning European team,
and two years later he also showed his worth in no uncertain terms.
Karlsson suffered a cruel blow earlier this season when an eye injury forced him to
severely curtail his playing schedule, and he was able to compete in only nine events on
his home Tour and six PGA Tour events this season. He is naturally eager to put that
frustration behind him with another great showing at Sun City.
Karlson resides in the tax haven of Monte Carlo, and having overtaken Anders Forsbrand
as Sweden’s most successful male player, only that elusive major title still eludes
him – and a Nedbank Golf Challenge title.
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