Karlsson claims Order of Merit

Nov 2, 2008 - 5:46 PM SOTOGRANDE, Spain (Ticker) -- Robert Karlsson on Sunday became the first Swede to win the European Order of Merit, leaving Lee Westwood to reflect on a season of missed opportunities.

Westwood is back in the world's top 10 for the first time in 5 1/2 years, but once again there was disappointment for him on the final day of a tournament.

Sitting in second place in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama with a round to go, and needing to win to deny Karlsson the No. 1 spot, he struggled over his final 18 holes and failed in his bid to overtake the Swede.

"This has been the hardest week I've ever experienced in golf," said Karlsson, who would not have had to sweat things out had he finished in the top three here. "It's one of those situations where you have it in your own hands, but not really, and your focus wanders quite a bit."

While Karlsson won the Order of Merit, the event itself went to Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen, who finished at 8-under-par 276 - two shots clear off Londoner Anthony Wall and German Martin Kaymer.

Westwood's joint fourth place finish with Sergio Garcia at 4-under and Padraig Harrington's 13th place performance guaranteed that Karlsson would finish atop the money list regardless of how he fared.

And the 39-year-old didn't fare well, finishing at 9-over in a tie for 32nd.

"It would have been fantastic to cap it off with a good week, but I'm not going to be ashamed about this week," Karlsson said. "In the last 3 1/2 years I have taken myself to a new level and this is fantastic."

Karlsson won't have much time to enjoy the accomplishment since the new season starts this week in Shanghai.

It was yet another case of close but no cigar for Westwood, who fell a shot short of a playoff at the U.S. Open earlier his year.

"It's been a year of nearlys and it was nearly again," Westwood said. "I didn't feel I was hitting it great all week. I wasn't straight enough, but I've played well all year and I'm pleased about being back in the top 10."

Westwood was tied for the lead at one point in the third round, which had to be completed ahead of Sunday's final round due to weather delays, but Kjeldsen drained three consecutive birdies to regain control.

Winner of only one of his previous 309 Tour events, Kjeldsen struggled with bogeys on the 16th and 17th, but his closing 71 proved to be enough.