GOLF : Karlsson's first tour win

Robert Karlsson, the London-based Swede, won the Mediterranean Open in Valencia yesterday to gain his first victory on the European PGA Tour.

Karlsson, who had led from start to finish after a course record 64 on the opening day, finished with a 12-under-par aggregate of 276 to beat Scotland's Sam Torrance, the Spaniard Miguel-Angel Jimenez, and his compatriots, Jarmo Sandelin and Anders Forsbrand, by three shots. Then came Pierre Fulke, Freddie Lindgren and Per-Ulrik Johansson in joint sixth place on 280 to give Swedish golfers six of the first eight places.

Torrance, playing in the last three-ball with Karlsson, was two shots behind Jimenez, Sandelin and Forsbrand when he came to the 492-yard 18th hole. But Torrance, who had dropped shots at the seventh, ninth and 14th holes and had been struggling to find his rhythm, hit a massive drive and then drilled a nine-iron to within two feet.

Down went the putt for an eagle three and Torrance collected nearly £20,000 which will help him towards an eighth successive Ryder Cup appearance in September. His prize-money moved him up to ninth in the Cup points table.