Swedish golf player, Robert Karlsson, grabbed a three-stroke lead after competing in the third round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
Karlsson is one of Europe’s four representatives for the upcoming Ryder Cup. However, during the Mercedes, he was penalized because he ground his putter when moved a bit on the second green.
Karlsson has not won a single event since 2006. However, he did finish at 12-under 204 which gave him the three-shot lead, surpassing Francesco Molinari.
“I was over the ball, but hadn’t addressed the club right behind the ball,” says Karlsson regarding the penalty. “The ball moved forward and I thought there wouldn’t be a penalty because I hadn’t addressed it, but it’s actually enough that the putter is on the ground.”
Karlsson qualified to compete in his second Ryder Cup with his record of nine top 10 finishes during this season. His teammates for the Ryder Cup consist of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Soren Hansen (defending champion), and Graeme McDowell.
As for Molinari, he successfully made three birdies and an eagle in five holes on the last nine.
He says, “It was a really good day. It was one of those days where almost everything goes in and hopefully I can do something like this tomorrow as well.”