Karlsson takes early lead at USPGA
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World number 22 Robert Karlsson has taken the early lead at the USPGA Championship as the early starters approach their closing holes.
The giant Swede sits tied atop the leaderboard with Americans Jim Furyk and Billy Mayfair on -2 at Oakland Hills.
He opened up with a double bogey before a blistering run of five birdies in seven holes saw him surge into the lead and make the turn in a three under par total of 32.
The highest placed Brit is Graham McDowell who’s putting a solid level par round together for a tie for 8th place.
However, the in-form Lee Westwood has made a disastrous start to the final Major of the season. The Worksop native hasn’t fired a single birdie in his opening 12 holes and is lying well down the leaderboard on +7.
Pre-tournament favourite Phil Mickelson, playing the course the wrong way round, has had an eventul front nine to make the turn in a one over par 36.
With half the field yet to take to the fairways there’s still a lot of golf to be played but Karlsson will be hoping he can retain his worldclass form, while Westwood will be praying for birdies on his closing holes.
