Karlsson's dynamic charge puts him on top in Dubai

Published>Fri, Nov 26 10 02:06 AM

Robert Karlsson whipped up a desert storm when a spectacular back-nine charge fired him to a pace-setting seven-under-par 65 in the Dubai World Championship first round on Thursday.

The Swede reeled off four birdies and an eagle in a whirlwind eight holes from the 10th before a late lapse in which he dropped his third stroke of the day at the par-five 18th.

Karlsson was one shot ahead of South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul (66) and two in front of German Martin Kaymer (67), who took complete control of his European Tour money-list battle with Britain's Graeme McDowell (72).

Kaymer, who led second-placed McDowell by 290,000 euros ($386,100) going into the final event of the season having made 3,283,930 euros so far, dominated his playing partner from the moment he holed a seven-iron from 192 yards for an unlikely eagle two at the third.

McDowell needs to win the event to be sure of overtaking Kaymer in the tour's order of merit -- the Race to Dubai -- which is based on prize money earned during 2010.

At stake is a bonus prize of $1.5 million for the European Tour's top earner.

The man who tops the Dubai World Championship itself will pocket 910,000 euros ($1.22 million).

"This is the most important week of my career so far and I'm very happy with that good start," U.S. PGA champion Kaymer told reporters on a hot and steamy day in the Gulf.

"I was trying to avoid thinking about his game too much but it's very difficult. Of course you get dragged away once in a while but that start really helped."

Karlsson was making his first competitive appearance at the $7.5 million tournament and enjoyed a memorable debut, going within a stroke of Lee Westwood's course record 64 set in 2009.

"I didn't know that much about the course except I know there were a lot of low scores last year," said the 41-year-old.

"I think it's one of those courses when if you're playing well it's easy to get close because the surfaces sort of feed the ball into the pins. When I missed, though, it was difficult to save myself."

Karlsson had four birdies and two bogeys in an outward 34 before he really caught fire on the inward stretch.

He birdied the 10th and 12th and eagled the 14th when his 110-yard wedge shot took one bounce and went straight into the cup.

HEALTH STRUGGLE

Karlsson rolled in birdie putts of 20 and 18 feet at the 16th and 17th but found trouble off the tee at the last and failed to save par from 15 feet.

The former Ryder Cup player, like fellow Swede Henrik Stenson, has struggled with his health in recent times.

Karlsson was sidelined last year for several months after suffering from blurred vision caused by fluid behind the retina in his left eye.

The 2008 European money-list winner was also struck down by glandular fever this season.

"I feel pretty comfortable with where I am. There's no blindness at the moment or any other diseases so things are good," added Karlsson with a laugh.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was tied for fifth place on 69, one behind Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, after finishing with a dazzling birdie hat-trick.

Charl Schwartzel recorded a hole-in-one on the way to a 69, the South African's seven-iron landing five feet short before going on to trickle into the cup at the 186-yard sixth.

He responded with a big smile before high-fiving his caddie and playing partner Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (70).

World number one Westwood and fellow Briton Ian Poulter also returned 69s.

"I played really solidly," said Westwood who is competing in only his second tournament in seven weeks because of a long-term leg injury. "It should have really been 66, 65 -- my iron shots were pretty good."

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