Robert Karlsson is looking to win this week’s Portugal Masters as the Swede aims to strengthen his lead in the race for The Order of Merit.
Karlsson holds a narrow advantage over Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood and with the Irishman not featuring at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course Karlsson and Westwood have a chance to gain an advantage.
“The most important thing is to not make it anything special or think just because I'm on top of the leaderboard right now or on top of the Order of Merit,” said Karlsson, who is in fine form having recently won his last two events - the Mercedes-Benz Championship and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
“I’ll just keep doing what I'm doing.
“It [winning The Order of Merit] would be a huge thing for me it happens, and to be the first Swede obviously would be nice.
“I mean, if it happens, I just have to keep going because I think Swedes in general, it has been like we have a lot of good players but still probably haven't produced in the big things yet, not the Majors, not the Order of Merit, stuff like that, so to be the first one, hopefully it can be me this year.
Westwood lies third in the money list and is well in contention despite being yet to win on The Tour this year.
He said: “I'm not really thinking about it too much. It would be nice to win the Order of Merit, but my focus is on the Portuguese Masters and trying to win it.
“I'm not playing next week in Valencia, and then I'm playing the Volvo Masters and I'll be focused on winning the Volvo Masters. And if at the end of the two tournaments I win the Order of Merit, that will be great, but if not, I won't worry about it. I'm trying to do a few swing changes between now and the end of the year, so I have other plans and my main focus is really to get ready for the Masters.”
On this week’s event the Worksop golfer added: “It's a lot tougher than last year.
“The rough is a lot thicker, which is good. If you miss the fairway, then you get penalised, that's great. It's fairly consistent, as well. It's thicker around the greens. The greens are good. Fairways are nice. So I would say that the course is pretty immaculate.
Last year’s event was won by England’s Steve Webster.
He said: “It was an amazing victory and I don't think I'll ever have another one as emotional as that. “
Webster also had a message of support for Seve Ballesteros, who is recovering after an operation to remove a brain tumour.
“He just inspired me,” said Webster.
“I would love to win this week and give him a pat on the back, because he helped my career - when I won in Italy I got a letter off him out of the blue and I've got it hanging up at home, and he signed it saying: Congratulations and a lot more will come out of your career.
“I saved a voicemail on my phone when he phoned me up after winning this, as well.”
