Karlsson leads golf event in Germany

COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Robert Karlsson, who had a penalty stroke tacked on to his 5-under-par 67 Saturday, still grabbed the third-round lead at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Tournament officials told him after the round that, on the second green, his ball moved after he grounded the putter. After the situation was settled, the Swede took the penalty, signed for a 4-under 68, and finished with a 54-hole total of 12-under 204.

He leads Francesco Molinari (65) and last week's winner at the European Masters, Jean-Francois Lucquin (70), by three strokes.

Molinari and Lucquin share second place at 9-under 207 heading into Sunday's final round at the Gut Larchenhof course in Cologne, Germany.

"It was definitely a one-shot penalty," Karlsson said. "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."

Michael Campbell (68) shares fourth place at 7-under 209 with four others, including first-round co-leader Richard Finch (70).