Karlberg’s day to remember
Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg made it a day to remember for Black Mountain Golf Club and the host nation by emerging as one of the leading Swedes at the Nordea Masters on Thursday. Karlberg is among the five Black Mountain sponsored players competing at the Nordea Masters where the Black Mountain Golf Club is also the official exhibition partner. The 27-year-old put up a performance worthy of his status as a two-time winner on the Asian Tour as he marked his card with six birdies against one bogey to trail compatriot Jens Dantorp and England’s Eddie Pepperell by one at the European Tour event. “It’s always good to come home and play in front of my friends and family. It’s amazing. I’m very happy. I’ve been in Asia for a while now and it has been a different experience with the different type of grass, different temperature. My form has been good so far and I’m happy I can bring it over here,” said Karlberg. Other Black Mountain sponsored players including Johan Edfors posted a flawless 69 to share 14th place with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. It was however a day to forget for Fredrik Andersson Hed and Bjorn Hellgren as they signed for a 74 and 76 to
take a share of 100th and 133rd place respectively. Swedish rookie Jens Dantorp was certainly the toast in the opening round of the Nordea Masters on Thursday. The home favourite posted a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to tie for the lead with England’s Eddie Pepperell in his home town of Malmo. The young Swedish player did not disappoint the home crowd, who came out in full force to show support for their rising star. “This is my home course so I try to play it as much as I can when I’m home,” said Dantorp. “I can’t really explain how good the support I got was. “All my friends, all my buddies were here and there was so much applause. That was one of the biggest keys to my success today; it definitely helped me. “Peter Hanson has helped me a lot. It’s great to go to the States to see him over the winter when you can’t practice here. He’s been a great mentor to me and has helped me through things, so I feel more comfortable in situations such as this. “This season has been solid. I’ve not quite had the results I would have wanted but it will come, I’m sure. It’s all new to me so I’m taking it easy.”