Karlsson chasing hat-trick

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Last updated: 15th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Karlsson chasing hat-trick

Karlsson: third straight win?

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Robert Karlsson heads to Portugal this week looking to extend his Order of Merit lead and match a feat last achieved by Tiger Woods.

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The Swede is bidding for a third consecutive European Tour title at the Portugal Masters having won the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in his last two outings.

Woods achieved his hat-trick two years ago when he claimed the Open Championship at Hoylake, the USPGA Championship at Medinah and then the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

Karlsson's current run of form has seen him storm to the top of the Order of Merit rankings with just two events to go.

The 38-year-old is aiming to become the first Swede to pick up the Harry Vardon trophy and, given his rich vein of form, looks well-placed to do so.

His win at St Andrews saw him open a £112,000 lead over Padraig Harrington and he can extend it this week with the Dubliner otherwise engaged at the 36-hole four-man PGA Grand Slam.

However, while a win for Karlsson in Portugal would go a long way to securing the European number one spot, it will not guarantee it.

It would leave Harrington needing to win the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama to have any chance, but there are still other men looking to crash the party.

Lee Westwood is in third place some £275,000 behind Karlsson and will also be teeing it up in Vilamoura this week.

Two more Ryder Cup team-mates, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell, plus Ross Fisher, beaten in a play-off by Karlsson in Scotland two weeks ago, could also head for Valderrama with their hopes of the number one spot still alive if they produce a big performance in Portugal.

However, whether he wins the Order of Merit or not, Karlsson still believes his season's achievements will not eclipse those of Harrington.

"I still rate Padraig's year higher than mine," he stated. "If you've won two majors there's no doubt who is the best player this year."

For his part, Harrington added: "I'll have a battle on my hands for the Order of Merit for sure. It's in Robert's hands now."