Karlsson learns to relax
At the age of 37 Robert Karlsson has finally worked out his ideal approach to golf. That is why he will not be staring at scoreboards during the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
The Monaco-based Swede flew to Spain this week with a chance to pip England’s Paul Casey to the European Tour Order of Merit title.
However, when asked before today’s first round if he knew exactly what he needed to do, Karlsson answered: “I haven’t got a clue.”
Earlier in his career the 6ft 5in Ryder Cup star made targets, just like most of his rivals but with only five wins in over 350 starts he came to the conclusion that maybe a new approach was needed.
The result is that not only did he win twice and earn his Ryder Cup debut against the Americans last month, but now, with a top-two finish on Sunday, he could be crowned the circuit’s leading money-winner for 2006 with over £1.7m (€2.5m).
“I worked on getting rid of all the results and just really, really focusing on things I can control,” explained Karlsson.
“It’s a radical difference. It’s sort of like being in a car and using the accelerator and brake at the same time. It’s not hard to do, but you never get anywhere.
“For example, when you get to 53rd (in the world) and your goal is top 50 you get a bit caught up in it and start to stare at leaderboards instead of playing golf.
“I’m more relaxed on the course now. I don’t beat myself up so badly when I miss. It’s very important for me to stay where I am, to stay in the present.”
He has noticed the difference off the course too.
“If you asked my wife, it would be hard to describe what I was like if I missed the cut,” said Karlsson.
“A few remote controls I’ve gone through, that’s for sure – a few golf clubs and remote controls in hotel rooms.”
Asked if he was amazed he was still married given how much frustration he showed, Karlsson smiled and replied: “Yeah.”
Even if he had set goals, surely winning the Order of Merit entering 2006 would not have been among them. He did, after all, finish only 38th last year - and 116th two seasons ago.
But he has at long last demonstrated the talent everybody knew was lurking within.
He won the Wales Open and Deutsche Bank Championship and at the K Club halved his two fourball games with Casey before losing his singles to Tiger Woods.
Karlsson went into the Volvo Masters fourth on the money list, with Padraig Harrington and David Howell between himself and Casey.
Harrington needs a top-three finish and will definitely end up number one if he wins the tournament, but Howell, like Karlsson, has to be first or second - and is struggling badly with a recurrence of a shoulder injury.
