Golf: Robert Karlsson moved into pole position to win the European Tour Order of Merit yesterday but admitted he would still be in the shadow of Ryder Cup partner Pádraig Harrington whatever happens.
Karlsson claimed his second European Tour victory in succession at St Andrews, making a birdie on the first play-off hole to win the Dunhill Links Championship from Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher after the trio had finished tied on 10-under par.
The €545,811 first prize took the Swede €142,425 ahead of Harrington in the Order of Merit with just four events of the season remaining.
Karlsson, who won the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany the week before the Ryder Cup, plans to play one more event before the season-ending Volvo Masters while Harrington is only scheduled to compete at Valderrama.
But even if he goes on to win the Harry Vardon Trophy for the first time, Karlsson concedes Harrington's victories this year in the British Open and
US PGA Championship mean he will be the true European number one.
"I still rate Pádraig's year higher than mine," admitted Karlsson. "If you've won two majors there's no doubt who is the best player this year."
Until his victory in Cologne, Karlsson had gone two years without a victory but qualified for his second Ryder Cup on the back of nine top-10 finishes this
season - including eighth in the US Masters, fourth in the US Open and seventh
in the Open.
"I felt at ease today after getting that win under my belt and felt very comfortable going out there in the play-off," said the 39-year-old.
"I've birdied that hole three times in a row now and I just fancied my chances when I got that yardage.
"It's a relaxing event and you just want to go out there and have fun and enjoy it, although I wouldn't have said that yesterday. I was a bad boy a couple of times during my 76 at Carnoustie!"
On a day of low scoring in benign conditions on the Old Course, Karlsson and
Fisher set the clubhouse target after matching rounds of 65.
Kaymer held a one-shot lead on the 17th tee but bogeyed the famous Road Hole after coming up short of the green, and then missed a birdie putt for the title
from eight feet on the 18th.
The 23-year-old German then also missed from 12ft for birdie on the first extra hole - after Fisher's hopes disappeared when he drove into the Swilcan Burn - but Karlsson made no mistake after a superb approach to three feet.
"It's disappointing, especially after having chances on the last two holes to win, but overall it was a really good week for me," said Kaymer, who has won twice this season, including on home soil just two weeks after his mother died of cancer.
"It has been a very special week to play with my brother and father in the team event."
Harrington began the day just two off the lead but could only manage a closing 71 and again pointed to fatigue as the reason behind his sub-par recent performances.
The 37-year-old, who won just half a point for the second Ryder Cup in succession at Valhalla, said: "It's hard to get away with it on a Sunday when you are not prepared right. I know myself I'm not on top of my game.
"I'll have a battle on my hands for the Order of Merit for sure. It's in Robert's hands now."
Rory McIlroy was the leading Irishman in tied eighth on six-under after his closing round of 67. Damien McGrane also shot a final round 67 and moved up into a tie for 24th on three-under. That was one better than Graeme McDowell who signed off with a 68.
Peter Lawrie slipped back to one-under after a 73, while Darren Clarke failed to make any inroads as a 71 left the Dungannon man one-over.
