Karlsson eases back into Cup form

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Karlsson carded seven birdies and two bogeys at Gut Larchenhof to trail co-leaders Richard Finch and Jean-Francois Lucquin by a shot, easily the best display from the four team members on show in Cologne.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez had six birdies but four bogeys and a double bogey in a 72 matched by rookie Graeme McDowell, while Denmark's Soren Hansen - the defending champion but another rookie - returned a 73.

Karlsson, who made his cup debut in the record-equalling victory at the K Club in 2006, had been reported to be suffering from a neck injury after taking three weeks off.

But the 6ft 5in Swede reiterated that those reports had been wide of the mark after instantly returning to the sort of form which has brought him nine top-10 finishes this season - including eighth in the Masters, fourth in the US Open and seventh in The Open.

Finch has failed to match Karlsson's consistency this season but has claimed two tournament victories after narrowly keeping his card at the end of last season.

The 31-year-old from Hull only secured his playing rights by finishing seventh in the final event of 2007 but won the New Zealand Open in December and then added the Irish Open in May - despite memorably falling into a river while playing his third shot on the 72nd hole.