Sweden's Karlsson wins Qatar Masters by 3 strokes

Sweden's Karlsson wins Qatar Masters by 3 strokes

Published Jan. 31, 2010 3:23 p.m. ET

Robert Karlsson of Sweden shot a 7-under 65 to win the Qatar Masters by three strokes Sunday.

The 40-year-old Karlsson made seven birdies to finish 15-under 273 at Doha Golf Club for his 10th European Tour victory, his first since missing several months last season due to an eye injury.

``It's been tough coming back after the injury, but I did have a couple of good finishes towards the end of last year at the World Cup with Henrik Stenson and with a second place in Japan,'' Karlsson said. ``And it is fantastic to come back and win now. I played as well as I have done for a long time and the way I finished today with two birdies was very satisfying.''

Alvaro Quiros of Spain, last year's champion, shot a 67 to finish second.

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Lee Westwood had a share of the lead with three holes to play, but a bogey at No. 16 and Karlsson's two birdies on the final two holes ended his challenge. The Englishman shot a 70 to share third place with Brett Rumford of Australia (69) at 277.

Westwood had to play with a spare driver after cracking his first-choice club during the third round.

``Everything you could imagine could go wrong did go wrong for me this week,'' he said. ``I ended up playing the last nine holes with a 3-wood because the spare driver hit into the rough left every time, so to finish 11 under is an unbelievable score.''

England's Oliver Wilson (71) finished in a three-way tie for fourth seven strokes behind Karlsson, along with Paul Casey (74) and Bradley Dredge (74).

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