Kaymer keen to stay top

Martin Kaymer is closing in on another target – staying as world number one longer than compatriot Bernhard Langer.
Martin Kaymer is already closing in on another target – staying as world number one for longer than Bernhard Langer.
The official rankings were introduced in 1986 and Langer held top spot for only the first three weeks.
Now his fellow German is in the second week of his reign and will be trying to hold off the challenge of Lee Westwood, the player he dethroned, at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami this week.
Westwood, having fallen well short of the top-three finish he needed at the Honda Classic on Sunday, has to be in the top four this time to have a chance, but the better Kaymer plays the harder it becomes for his Ryder Cup team-mate.
“It would be nice to be one day longer as number one than Bernhard Langer,” he said. “But if it happens it happens and if not that’s fine too.
“I really don’t care. I’ve been number one and no-one can ever take it away from me. That was my goal when I started playing golf.
“It is a nice thing, but it doesn’t change my life. Yes I’m maybe a little more busy, that’s for sure, and there’s more work for my manager, but besides that nothing is changing.
“A lot of people ask me ‘so you must be the happiest person in the world now.’ Yeah I’m happy and I’m satisfied, but there’s still something missing.
“I don’t know what it is, what I have to win, what I have to do more. Maybe I will find out in the next 12 months.”
Langer was among the people who contacted Kaymer after he took over top spot by reaching the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play nine days ago.
And he had a surprise visitor – his father Horst.
“My brother and a friend of mine flew into Scottsdale to spend a few days with me and then they told me on Tuesday we have to go to the airport again.
“My dad just wanted to congratulate me. He said ‘next time (you are) in Germany who knows if you’re still number one?’
“It was nice. It was a 30-hour trip for pretty much 24 hours he was there.”
Kaymer lost his mother to cancer three years ago.
Having been beaten by Luke Donald in the final in Tucson he has another opportunity to lift his first world championship this weekend – and another major might be weeks away.
Not that he can boast about his record in The Masters at Augusta so far – three starts, three missed cuts.
“My goal is to play on Saturday and Sunday this year. I’ve struggled a little bit with the draw the last few years and my coach and me are working on it.
“Obviously that makes a big difference. If you fade the ball only you make the golf course even more difficult.
“With the irons it’s no problem. I just struggle with the woods a little bit. But I’ll get there.”
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.