EUROPEAN

• Karlsson still on top despite penalty

  
  

  Cologne, Germany (Sports Network) - Robert Karlsson was assessed a one-stroke penalty after Saturday's third round, but it was not enough to knock him off the top spot on the leaderboard at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

  Karlsson appeared to have a five-under 67 on Saturday, but was informed by tournament officials after the round that there was a problem.

  It was determined on the second green that Karlsson's ball moved after he grounded the putter.

  "There's not much to talk about. It was a definitely a one-shot penalty" admitted Karlsson. "I thought it wouldn't be a penalty because I hadn't rested it.

  It's actually enough that the putter's on the ground. I thought it had to be addressed.

  "I'mreally happy it wasn't a two (strokes for the penalty), or a disqualification." After it was all settled, Karlsson took his one-stroke penalty, signed for a four-under 68 and finished three rounds at 12-under 204.

  Francesco Molinari fired a brilliant seven-under 65 on Saturday and moved into a tie for second place with last week's European Masters winner Jean-Francois Lucquin, who shot a two-under 70 on Saturday. The pair is knotted at nine- under 207.

  Karlsson started strong with a birdie at No. 1, but then came the mishap at the second. He thought he made bogey on the hole, but with the penalty, walked off with a six.

  The Swede atoned for the error with back-to-back birdies at three and four. Karlsson parred out on the front side and established himself a comfortable lead.

  Karlsson was erratic off the tee, but it never truly cost him early on the back nine. After another poor drive at 10, which resulted in a par, Karlsson nearly holed his tee ball at the par-three 11th. Karlsson tapped in his short birdie effort and was five clear.

  Some contenders inched closer, but Karlsson stayed strong with a birdie at the par-five 13th, his third in as many rounds this week.

  He two-putted for a birdie at the par-five 15th, a hole he bogeyed on Friday, then birdied 17.

  He held a five-stroke cushion on the 18th tee and drove into danger on the left.

  Karlsson had to advance his second down the fairway, then knocked it 25 feet short.

  Karlsson missed the par put, and before he made it to his locker he dropped another shot thanks to the penalty. He wants to continue his strong play Sunday and next week when he represents Europe in the Ryder Cup.

  "I'm happy with the way things are going," said Karlsson. "There's still this tournament. It's important getting prepared for next week." Former U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell (68), Richard Finch (70), Ross Fisher (68), Mikko Ilonen (67) and Jose Manuel Lara (67) share fourth at minus-seven.

  Peter Hanson struggled to a one-over 73 and is alone in ninth at five-under 211.

  09/13 13:16:14 ET