Karlsson lifts Harry Vardon Trophy

Robert Karlsson has cemented his place in golf?s history books by becoming the first Swedish player to top the European Order of Merit, with top eight finishes in three of the four Major Championships this year.

Add to that a further seven top tens throughout the year and the 38 year old managed to amass ?2,732,749 in European Tour prize money ? enough to finish ahead of double Major Champion Padraig Harrington, who took second place, with Lee Westwood narrowly behind the Irishman.

Westwood looked as though he might challenge Karlsson for the number one spot, lying second in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama with a round to go but he did not even come close in the end.