Top 20 golfers in the Official World Golf Rankings
18 – Robert Karlsson
The “Scientist” Robert Karlsson was born on September 3, 1969 in Sweden. Karlsson, who is known to be a good humored man, 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 the sport. The club is formed by Peace and Sport, an international organization which is based in Monaco, where
Karlsson currently resides.
The 41-year-old, who is one of the tallest golfers at 6 feet 5 inches, turned pro in the year 1989 and qualified for membership in the European Tour in 1990. Karlsson has had a consistent career, has been in the Top 20 of the Order of Merit seven times and
eventually won it in 2008.
In 2006 the Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe was won by Karlsson which helped him reach the 50th rank in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). But his win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship brought him to the number 8 spot
in the year 2008.
In 2006 Karlsson made his Ryder Cup debut when he was 37 years old. He formed a partnership with Padraig Harrington in 2008 in the foursomes and beat Justin Leonard 5 & 3 in the singles. In 2009 Robert Karlsson was named Swedish male athlete of the year
at the Swedish sports gala.
The year 2009 was a tough one 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 US 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, he threatened to quit the game. These issues have been subdued recently through some therapy sessions and him attending meditational resorts.
A close friend of Karlsson and fellow golfer, Adam Mednick revealed that Sternian therapy had produced a marked change in Karlsson.
“Robert had so much talent before, but he was a little shy and didn't take the space he really deserved,” Mednick said in an interview. “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 he no longer feels the urge to quit when the going gets tough.
Karlsson is married to Ebba Palmcrantz for six years now and both have a 9-month-old baby, Thea. While many would find Karlsson’s mysterious personality slightly shelled, that was exactly what his wife Ebba Palmcrantz found attractive.
“My first impression of Robert was that he knew something that I didn't know,” said Ebba Palmcrantz in an interview. “He was a bit mysterious, and he had a lot of charisma.”
Karlsson’s beloved therapist, Dr. Bengt Stern has passed away but will that deter him from his now stable persona or will he turn into a quitter once again?
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