Karlsson's lead cut to two

Swede Robert Karlsson is set to become the third successive wire-to-wire winner of the European Masters after firing a 3-under-par 68 in the third round on Saturday.

Karlsson's blemish-free card took him to 14-under-par 199 and the 33-year-old leads by two shots from Italian Emanuele Canonica, who moved into contention after posting a 65.

Argentines Eduardo Romero and Ricardo Gonzalez won the last two Swiss titles from start to finish.

Britain's Barry Lane -- winner of the event in 1993 just before making his Ryder Cup debut -- shares third place a further stroke back with 1999 British Open Champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland and South Africa's Trevor Immelman.

Karlsson, who was a lowly 79th on the European rankings before this event, made wholesale changes to his game earlier this season, switching coaches to rebuild a swing more accomplished off the tee.

He is now bidding for his fifth European Tour victory, 18 months after claiming the Spanish Open title.

"With all the changes I didn't really expect to be playing so well and to be leading all three rounds is great," Karlsson said.

"I said to my coach that four top-10s in my last six tournaments would mean that I'd done very well, but this is far better than I'd hoped.

"I was very solid. On a normal day it would have been six birdies and three bogeys."

Canonica is bidding to earn his card on both sides of the Atlantic for next year and, as he did last week in Munich, found his form with a faultless round that included seven birdies.

The big-hitting Italian explained why he hopes to play in Europe and America next season.

"I like America because the courses are good for my game. I will try once more for my U.S. card but if I don't keep it this time I will stay in Europe," he said.

Lane, 42, almost spoiled his day with a bogey on the last but his 64 was still the lowest round of the week so far.

Immelman -- second this season in the French Open and Scandinavian Masters -- moved up the leaderboard after a 65 while Lawrie (66) is looking to follow up his recent success in the Wales Open.

World No. 3 and British Open champion Ernie Els and the in-form Nick Faldo lie eight strokes off the lead in joint 12th spot after posting 66 and 69 respectively.

Els revealed he had suffered the worst frustration of his career in Friday's second round when he dropped four shots in three holes from the 11th.

"I really lost it and I was lucky to make the cut," said the usually easy-going South African.

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