KAYMER WINS PLAY-OFF

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June 23, 2008

Germany’s Martin Kaymer came through the most searching test of his young career today to win the BMW International.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer came through the most searching test of his young career today to win the BMW International and move into sixth place in the European Ryder Cup standinhgs.
The 23-year-old won the title in a play off with Dane Anders Hansen at the Golfclub Munchen Nord-Eichenreid in Munich to secure his second European Tour title.
But this only after closing with a disappointing 3-over 75 that cost him the six-shot lead he had at the start of the day and forced him into a play-off against the stronger-finishing Hansen who posted a second successive final round 67.
Kaymer, tipped as the next big thing in German golf, dedicated the victory to his seriously ill mother, saying: “This was for you,” with tears streaming down his face.
After three days of superb golf Kaymer struggled to the turn in 38 and when he ran up a triple-bogey eight on the long 11th, hitting two balls into the lake short of the green, it all seemed to be going horribly wrong.
Greg Norman, of course, famously lost the 1996 Masters to Nick Faldo from the same position, but last season’s Rookie of the Year refused to fold.
Hansen, who had knee surgery less than a month ago and was playing in his first event back, set the target of 15 under par with a closing birdie.
Kaymer, though, matched it to make the play-off and when they returned to the 568-yard 18th for the4 first extra hole, the German young gun struck a massive drive and then put approach shot just seven feet from the flag.
With Hansen in two bunkers and not even making par, it did not matter that the Dusseldorf player, compared on Friday by Bernhard Langer to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson for his smart and aggressive mix, failed with his eagle attempt. A birdie was more than enough.
He now moves up four spots in the cup standings with only 10 weeks left and must have a great chance of making his Ryder Cup debut in September.
The English trio of Paul Casey, John Bickerton and Mark Foster tied for third on 13 under, while Colin Montgoimerie’s 16th place was his best stroke play finish since January.

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