Sweden's Robert Karlsson won for the first time in 16 months when he captured the Qatar Masters title Sunday. The 40-year-old Ryder Cup player shot a closing seven-under-par 65 for a 15-under tally of 273 to finish three ahead of holder Alvaro Quiros of Spain (67). Briton Lee Westwood, playing alongside Karlsson, saw his chance of victory vanish when he three-putted the par-four 16th for bogey. Westwood eventually carded a 70 to share third place on 11-under with Australia's Brett Rumford (69). Karlsson's last victory was at the Dunhill Links Championship in October 2008. Imada flies solo In San Deigo, Japan's Ryuji Imada opened a two-shot lead after the third round of the San Diego Open Saturday as some of the biggest names in the field moved into contention for a final round push. After sharing the overnight lead with little-known American DA Points, Imada fired a two-under-par 70 on another glorious day of sunshine at picturesque Torrey Pines to open a little daylight between himself and the chasing pack. Although the coastal breezes strengthened in the afternoon, the 33-year-old played bogey-free golf on the back nine to post a 13-under total of 203, ending his round in style with a 34-foot birdie putt. Australian Michael Sim birdied two of the last three holes for a 70 and a tie for second place with American Ben Crane (69) at 11 under, a stroke in front of reigning US Open champion Lucas Glover (68). Perhaps the most significant moves of the day, however, came from three-times winner Phil Mickelson and former world No. 1 Ernie Els. Left-hander Mickelson shrugged off a double-bogey at the par-four seventh to card a 70 and end the round in a six-way tie for fifth, just four shots off the lead. South African Els, despite losing momentum after the turn, was a further stroke back at eight under after returning a five-birdie 69. “My short game kept me in it,” Mickelson told reporters after dumping his second shot into water at the last before getting up and down from 55 yards to save par. Imada, whose only victory on the PGA Tour came at the 2008 AT&T Classic, duelled with playing partner Points for the lead over the front nine before taking control after the turn. He knocked in a four-footer to birdie the 10th before rolling in his monster putt at the par-five last to snatch a two
