Earlier in his career Karlsson experimented with body psychotherapy, a curious technique where he talked through his fears and anxieties while putting himself through all sorts of contortions.

Then came ‘body cleansing’. The 31-year-old began last year with a 21-day fast during which he lost nearly two stones on a diet restricted to white bread and milk.

Without a single top 10 finish all season the benefits were not there to be seen and now Karlsson admits he is back to eating normally.

Having been controversially overlooked for the 1999 Ryder Cup - he finished 11th in the points table, but 12th-placed Andrew Coltart was given a wild card - a win at the Spanish Open in April put him back in contention.

After that, however, he admits he pressed too hard and so the philosophy this week was to relax more and lighten up on the course.

It brought him a bogey-free six under par 66 yesterday and his two early birdies this morning were something that playing partner Adam Scott, the20-year-old Australian who was his nearest challenger overnight, could not match.

Scott, himself a winner in South Africa in January, was joined on five under by little-known Italian Marco Bernardini, while Lee Westwood also birdied the 12th the hole Colin Montgomerie double-bogeyed yesterday to improve to four under.

Favourite Montgomerie, home in 30 yesterday for a 68 and a share of third sport, was among the afternoon starters.