The eight-time European number one had been five under after seven holes yesterday and knew he needed something similar in glorious conditions on the third day to get back into contention.

But the 42-year-old Scot was only level par for his opening six holes this afternoon after a birdie on the third and bogey on the fourth, and saw his deficit increase to seven shots.

Karlsson, who had carded rounds of 61 and 63 to set a new tour record aggregate for a halfway total, had birdied the first and third to move to 16 under.

His four-shot overnight lead had been reduced by playing partner Paul Broadhurst however, who had also birdied the first and third and picked up another stroke at the fifth to move to 13 under.

Broadhurst, currently eighth in the Ryder Cup standings 15 years after his solitary appearance in the contest at Kiawah Island, had promised not to settle for second place before teeing off.

“I might be a bit behind but Robert hasn’t been in contention for a while either so it will be a big weekend for him too,” he said.

“I know he has been playing well enough, you do keep an eye on people’s scores, but perhaps he hasn’t been putting four rounds together. It might be his turn this week, but if I put another two 64s in I’ll be disappointed not to win.”