Karlsson blasts course record
by Richard Field, 09 May 2008
Robert Karlsson blasted a course record 61 to lead the Italian Open at the halfway stage.
The Ryder Cup hopeful's 11-under round beat the previous best mark of 62 set by Swedish compatriot Joakim Backstrom, a year ago.
Karlsson could have been playing at The Players Championship instead this week, but confusion over the cut-off date for the world’s top-50 to gain qualification led Karlsson to opt for Italy.
The world number 48 sank 30 and 15 feet eagle putts at the 15th and first holes respectively and supplemented these with eight birdies and a bogey to reach 15-under.
Hennie Otto birdied the final two holes to trail Karlsson by two shots following a blemish-free round of 66.
Englishman Mark Foster [67] held third place at 12-under, at the Castello di Tolcinasco course.
Argentine Estanislao Goya is four strokes off the pace, after returning a 67 which included a double-bogey at the par-three eighth.
Phillip Archer [64] and Bradley Dredge [65] are in a group of golfers at 10-under, while David Lynn [67] who finished fourth at last week’s Spanish Open is a shot further back.
Nick Dougherty shot a 66 in a tournament which began just two days after the funeral of his mother.
The 25-year-old reached the turn in just 31 strokes and a birdie at the second took him to six-under before his first dropped shot arrived at the sixth.
The Liverpudlian finished with consecutive birdies at the eighth and ninth holes to reach seven-under at halfway.
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