Karlberg gets off to solid start

Jakarta, April 23: Rikard Karlberg checked his stats card and could afford to give himself a pat on the back after opening with an even-par 72 at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters Presented by Enjoy Jakarta Golf. The Black Mountain sponsored player hit 16 greens and 12 fairways in regulation play which resulted in a tied 24th result.

With his wife Pernilla as his caddy for the first time, Karlberg traded three birdies and three bogeys, a reasonable result considering he has just recovered from illness.

“Shot 72 after some pretty solid golf. While playing the round I felt like I didn´t play that well but after I checked my stats card there was 16 greens and 12 fairways. My game has not felt that good lately. My club get stuck behind me in my down swing and I lose it to the right.

“I worked on it quite hard the last few days and it starts to come together. Usually I hit a draw but to make the club come down better on plane I try to hit fades,” he explained in his blog (http://rikardgolf.com/yoga-morning-nordea-tour-and-jakarta/).

Meanwhile, another Black Mountain player Jazz Janewattananond hit the red number when he returned with a 71 to sit in tied 16th position.

Berry Henson of the United States struggled as he produced a 73.