Refreshed Kaymer ready to compete

Martin Kaymer is ready to compete this week at the Maybank Championship Malaysia after a tricky start to the season.

The German, a 16/1 favourite with Paddy Power for this week's European Tour event – started 2016 by competing first at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and then at the Dubai Desert Classic. In Abu Dhabi, he was never really in contention as he finished tied for 16th, while in Dubai his game appeared to be completely out of sync as he failed to make the cut.

"I practiced hard over the winter, sometimes it pays off straight away and other times it takes longer," he told europeantour.com.

"The last few years, I've managed to get off to a fast start, especially in Abu Dhabi, but this time I've struggled to find my rhythm.

"So I took time off last week and went on holiday, and it really helped to clear my head.

"I'm relaxed most of the time. The golf course suits me, I had a very nice group in the Pro-Am yesterday, we're staying in a nice hotel, the food's good and everyone seems very happy and smiling."

As for his chances this week, the 11-time European Tour winner is confident he can capitalise on playing a style of course that he is very comfortable with.

"I've played many times in Malaysia, but this has to be my favourite course here," he said.

"It's definitely my kind of course, I grew up playing tree-lined courses so in some ways this place reminds me of home, although it's a little bit warmer here!

"You really need to move the ball both ways, and I enjoy the challenge of shaping your shots. You need to hit lots of fairways and then wait for your chances to come along, so it's a fun course to play.

"You have to try to take advantage of the par fives, because they're all reachable in two."

To back Kaymer of any of your other favourites in the Maybank Championship Malaysia, head on over to Paddy Power.

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