Karlsson takes merit title as Kjeldsen wins Volvo Masters

Swede Robert Karlsson won Europe's Order of Merit today when Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez all fell short of their targets.

Westwood loomed as the biggest danger. Needing to win the Volvo Masters at Valderrama he was tied for the lead during the rain-delayed third round, but fell away when he went out again for the closing 18 holes in second place.

The event title was heading to Dane Soren Kjeldsen, who despite bogeys on the 16th and 17th led by two from Martin Kaymer and Anthony Wall.

Kjeldsen was in danger of finishing with three straight bogeys, but got up and down at the last for an eight-under-par total of 276 and so took the first prize of more than €700,000 by two from Kaymer and Wall.

By winning the last-ever Volvo Masters, Kjeldsen leapt from 27th to 10th on the final Order of Merit and so qualifies for next June's US Open.

So too does Darren Clarke – the top 15 make it and he was 13th – while Colin Montgomerie’s 27th place means he has secured a spot in The Open at Turnberry.

Kjeldsen said: “It was a long week, but a tournament like this deserved to finish in the sun and it did.

“I don’t think I have ever been as nervous in my life.”