Karlsson and Els lead way in Masters

ROBERT KARLSSON has the chance to complete consecutive wire-to-wire victories in the Omega European Masters — but will have to hold off Ernie Els to do so.

Karlsson carded a first round 65, six under par, at Crans-sur-Sierre to share the lead with world number two Els, one shot ahead of 49-year-old duo Mark McNulty and Eduardo Romero, Paul Eales, Norway’s Henrik Bjornstad and France’s Marc Farry.

That was the same score he started with 12 months ago on his way to a four-shot victory and fifth European Tour title, and a repeat on Sunday would go some way to make up for the disappointment of last week.