Golf: Host club stars aiming for title

Jul 8 2009 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The injury has been affecting his balance as well as his vision. It was originally thought to be an inner ear infection, but then Karlsson was discovered to have fluid behind his retina. He has been told it could take four to six months to clear up, but having started to suffer early this year the Swede had been hopeful he might recover in time for The Open at Turnberry.

“Apparently it’s quite common for men between the ages of 25 and 50 with stressful jobs,” said Karlsson.

“There’s never a good time for these things to happen, but I’m just looking forward to getting through it and getting back to playing. When that is, though, I just don’t know. I’m taking it week by week.

“If I had a normal job it would not be a problem – I’d just take things a bit easy.

“I don’t feel bad at all, which is a bit annoying and frustrating, and my doctor has said that if I have to play I could, but if I did it would most likely take longer to get through this.

“So for the moment I’m taking a couple of eye drops and some vitamins. Light and dark shades of green started to float together if I can put it that way and in the PGA at Wentworth it was bad – everything started to look flat.

“I went to see (sports physiotherapist) Dale Richardson, who did some balance tests and said I was way out.

“My depth vision had gone and where I noticed it most was with chip shots and bunker shots.”