Karlsson smashes European Tour record after third round 65

NEWPORT (Wales): Sweden's Robert Karlsson broke another European Tour record in the Wales Open when he bettered the 54-hole aggregate by three strokes to take a six-shot lead into today's final round. 

On Friday, Karlsson had bettered the 125 set by Tiger Woods for 36 holes by one stroke and, after a 65 yesterday, his 189 aggregate outdid the world number one again. 

His four-under par moved him to 18-under for the tournament. He heads Britain's Paul Broadhurst, who shot 67, with another Briton, Gary Orr, a further stroke back after a 65. 

“A six-shot lead is massive the way he's playing,” said Broadhurst. “He's turning this course into pitch-and-putt.”  

Karlsson could even afford a double-bogey on 14 which he recovered with an eagle two holes later. 

“It's nice to have beaten Tiger again,” said Karlsson. 

He can now aim for the 72-hole record of 258 (Ian Woosnam in 1990 and David Llewellyn in 1988) as he looks for his sixth tour title. Woods is second on that table on 259. 

Victory and a US$464,000 first prize today would come seven years after Karlsson was snubbed over a Ryder Cup place, and would take him into the top 10 automatic qualifiers in Europe's Ryder Cup table. 

“Getting into the top 10 in the Ryder Cup table would be a big bonus, even if there are a lot of big tournaments coming up and I'll probably need to win again,” Karlsson said. – Reuters