Ryder Cup: Analysis of Robert Karlsson's record as a player
Wednesday 31 May 2017 14:44, UK
Former European No 1 Robert Karlsson will have experience on his side when he acts as one of Thomas Bjorn's vice-captains for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National.
Karlsson is an 11-time winner on the European Tour and a previous winner of the Order of Merit, with the Swede having a mixed record from his two Ryder Cup appearances as a player.
He joined compatriot Henrik Stenson as one of two rookies in Ian Woosnam's side for the 2006 contest, where he contributed two halves from his three matches at the K Club.
Playing alongside Paul Casey in the Friday fourballs, Karlsson birdied the third and posted two more gains to help Europe reach the turn three clear.
Stewart Cink and J.J Henry then fought back on the back nine to grab a share of the spoils, before the same partnerships went head to head again on Saturday morning.
Karlsson chipped in at the second to give the hosts and early lead which they held for most of the contest, only for the USA to win back-to-back holes to leave Casey needing to birdie the final hole to salvage a halve.
Europe took a 10-6 cushion to the final day, where Karlsson was defeated 3&2 by Tiger Woods but the home side secured a record-equalling 18.5-9.5 win to retain the trophy.
A string of strong performances on the European Tour cemented Karlsson's a second Ryder Cup appearance two years' later, where he was beaten just once from his four starts for Sir Nick Faldo's team.
Forming a partnership with the-then reigning Open champion Padraig Harrington for the morning foursomes, the pair halved their opener with Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim after letting a three-shot lead slip along the closing stretch.
The pair teamed up again the following day, where they lost four of the first five holes on their way to being beaten 4&2 by future captain Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry.
Faldo put Karlsson with fellow Swede Stenson in the afternoon fourballs, where the pair fought back to share their contest with Mickelson and Hunter Mahan to keep the visitors in contention heading into the final day at Valhalla.
Karlsson put an early point on the board for Europe with a 5&3 demolition of Justin Leonard, but couldn't prevent the USA from completing a convincing 16.5-11.5 victory.
Despite victory at the 2010 Qatar Masters and top-20 finishes at both the Open and the PGA Championship, Karlsson failed to qualify for Colin Montgomerie's side and wasn't one of the captain's picks.
The most recent of Karlsson's European Tour victories came at the 2010 Dubai World Championship, with the 48-year-old now ready to share his experiences as part of Bjorn's backroom team in Paris.
