Martin Kaymer Biography

Martin Kaymer was born in Dusseldorf, Germany on 28th December 1984. He turned professional in 2005.

In 2008 Kaymer had two major wins, the first at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with the second in his homeland, at the BMW International Open. Kaymer earned $1,794,500 in 2008 and finished in 8th on the Order of Merit. Kaymer narrowly missed selection for the 2008 Ryder Cup, but European captain Nick Faldo invited Kaymer to assist the European side in a non-playing capacity which Kaymer accepted. Kaymer represented his country at the 2008 Omega Mission Hills World Cup with Alex Cejka, finishing fifth.

In 2009, Kaymer almost defended his title at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship but finished in a tie for second, one stroke behind winner Paul Casey. He continued his success in the Middle East by finishing in a tie for fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic. Kaymer won his third European Tour event in July, the Open de France ALSTOM. He defeated Lee Westwood on the first hole of a playoff when Westwood hit his approach shot into the water. The win moved Kaymer into the top 100 of the European Tour Career Earnings list.

He also won the following week at the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Glasgow, for his fourth career win, elevating him to 11th in the Official World Golf Rankings. The week after that, Kaymer finished T-34 at the 2009 Open Championship, which was his best finish in a major to that time. He bettered this when he moved through the final round field to finish in a tie for 6th at the 2009 PGA Championship.

Kaymer suffered an injury in a go-kart accident and missed September and October tournaments, returning for the final stages of the Race to Dubai on the European Tour, and finished the season ranked third.

In January 2010, Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by one shot over Ian Poulter. After missing the cut at the Masters, he performed well in the 2010 majors. He finished in a tie for 8th at the U.S. Open and then tied for 7th at The Open Championship after starting the final round in third.

On 15 August 2010, Kaymer won the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits for his first major championship. Finishing regulation play in a two-way tie at 11 under par, he defeated Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff. This win took him to a career high of fifth in the Official World Golf Rankings.