Karlsson and Els hold overnight lead

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, Lancashire’s Paul Eales, Norway’s Henrik Bjornstad and France’s Marc Farry.