A look at the 20 top players in the world of Golf today: Robert Karlsson
The “Scientist” Robert Karlsson was born 3rd September 1969 in Sweden. Karlsson is also known as the scientist for his deep thoughts and philosophical words of wisdom, contemplative and analytical style of play, he also attends various therapy
sessions to keep his focus and mental state stable according to him.
One of his long time friends described him as a complex personality with an above average intellect. Karlsson is a member of the “Champions for Peace” club, which has to date 54 elite athletes who are committed to serving peace in the world through sport,
club is formed by “Peace and Sport” an international organization which is based in Monaco, where Karlsson is also based after moving from his home country Sweden.
Karlsson one of the tallest golfer at 6 feet 5 inches, turned pro in the year 1989 and qualified for membership in the European Tour in 1990. Although Karlsson has had a steady consistent career, has been in the top twenty of the Order of Merit seven times
in his career he won it in 2008.
In 2006 the Deutsche Bank Players championship of Europe was won by Karlsson which helped him reach the 5oth rank in the Official World golf Rankings. But his win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship brought him to the number 8 position in the year
2008. In 2006 at age 37 Karlsson made his Ryder Cup debut. He formed a partnership with Padraig Harrington in 2008 in the foursomes and beat Justin Leonard 5 and 3 in the singles. In 2009 Robert Karlsson was named Swedish male athlete of the year at the Swedish
sports gala.
2009 was a tough year for Karlsson as he suffered an eye injury which left him with no depth perception in his left eye. This meant that Karlsson was not able to participate in the U.S. Open and the rest of the 2009 season as well. Karlsson made his comeback
in 2010 and winning his 10th Tour title by claiming the Commercial bank Qatar Masters. At St Jude Classic Karlsson lost to Lee Westwood in a sudden death playoff clash.
Karlsson has been very critical of his own game and at occasions when he was not getting the results he wanted out of his game; he threatened to quit the game. These issues have been subdued recently through some therapy sessions and attending meditational
resorts.
Karlsson's friends say that Sternian therapy has produced a marked change in him. “Robert had so much talent before, but he was a little shy and didn't take the space he really deserved,” says Mednick. “After he saw Dr. Stern, he was more open, more talkative.”
Karlsson himself believes that his game and his attitude towards the game has vastly improved because of these sessions and no longer feels the urge to quit when the going gets tough. Aside from his reputation, Karlsson is a good humored man, patient and
attentive to others. “My first impression of Robert was that he knew something that I didn't know,” says Ebba Palmcrantz, his companion of six years and the mother of his nine-month-old daughter, Thea. “He was a bit mysterious, and he had a lot of charisma.”
Karlsson’s beloved therapist, Stern has passed away but will that deter him from his now stable persona or will he be once again turn into a quitter?
Tags: