Karlsson holds on

Robert Karlsson survived a mid-round stumble to claim his sixth European Tour title at the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

Six clear overnight and eight ahead after three holes of the final round, Karlsson saw his lead slashed to three shots after a run of four bogeys in nine holes.

But the 6ft 5in Swede regained his composure to birdie three of the next four and eventually signed for a closing 71 and 16-under-par total of 260.

Paul Broadhurst boosted his chances of a second Ryder Cup appearance 15 years after his first with a birdie on the 18th to claim outright second on 13 under.

Portugal’s Jose-Filipe Lima took third place a shot further back with Colin Montgomerie in fourth another stroke adrift.

It was Karlsson’s first victory since the European Masters in 2002 and the £250,000 (€364,400) first prize lifted him into ninth in the Ryder Cup standings.

The 36-year-old set new tour records with his halfway total of 124 and 54-hole total of 189, but his 72-hole aggregate of 260 was two shots outside the record set by David Llewellyn in 1988.