Karlsson in control despite penalty

Robert Karlsson continued his impressive run of form ahead of next week's Ryder Cup by taking a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship, despite suffering a one-shot penalty.

Karlsson looked to have completed a superb 67 at Gut Larchenhof before being informed by tournament officials of a possible rules breach earlier in the round.

Television footage confirmed Karlsson had grounded his putter when his ball moved fractionally on the second green, and that meant a one-shot penalty which turned his 67 into a 68.

At 12-under-par the 6ft 5in Swede still leads by three from Italy's Francesco Molinari - whose 65 was the best round of the day - and France's Jean-Francois Lucquin, winner of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on Sunday.

Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell is best of the Irish on one under after a 70, with Paul McGinley on one over thanks to a 71.

Darren Clarke improved on his opening two rounds to shoot a 69 that moved him to three-over-par but Damien McGrane (four over) and Peter Lawrie (six over) headed in the wrong direction after a 75 and 47 respectively.

"On the second hole I was over the ball but hadn't addressed the club right behind the ball," said Karlsson, who has not won since 2006 but qualified for his second cup appearance next week on the back of nine top-10 finishes this season — including eighth in the US Masters, fourth in the US Open and seventh in the Open.

"I always address it a little bit on the toe so I'm not really ready to go. The ball moved forward and I thought there wouldn't be a penalty because I hadn't addressed it but it's actually enough that the putter is on the ground.

"It was definitely a one-shot penalty. Two shots would have been painful but it happens, it's just part of the game. I'm really happy it wasn't two shots or a disqualification.

"My mistake was that I misunderstood what needed to be done. I thought you had to be addressing the ball but it's enough that the putter is on the ground."

Karlsson had actually been five clear of the field standing on the 18th tee before a bogey there was followed by the penalty stroke.

But the 39-year-old was keen to place things into perspective on his first appearance after a three-week break with the Ryder Cup at Valhalla just days away.

"I'm happy with the way things are going," he insisted. "This tournament is all part of getting prepared for next week so having a three-shot lead after a three-week lay-off is not bad.

"I've played this course in 12 under with a penalty shot, that's the most important thing."