The European Rookie of the Year has grown up fast. In the first European Tour event of 2008 Germany’s Martin Kaymer showed spectacularly what he has to offer with a four-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Although closing with a two-over-par 74, his 15-under-par total of 273 was still too good for challengers Lee Westwood, of England, and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
It was a maiden triumph for the 23-year-old, who won more than 225,000 euro and staked his case for more honours over the season.
Westwood finished with a two-under-par 70 and Stenson fired one-under 71 as both players tied for second place on 11-under 277.
After a pair of top-two finishes, Westwood is on top of the European Order of Merit standings and well on the way to securing a Ryder Cup place.
Before Abu Dhabi, Kaymer’s most eye-opening performance came at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanhai last year.
He was 12 shots adrift of the lead held by Phil Mickelson at the turn in the final round but managed to cancel it out before losing to the American in a play-off.
Kaymer didn’t do his Ryder Cup hopes any harm either with his victory, and the youngster knows that the road to more success is tough. He was quoted in The Times as saying:
“I learnt a lot about myself. I have gained confidence for tournaments when I am playing with better players. And I learned that if you try to make pars, you will occasionally get a birdie. Whatever you do, avoid bogeys. It was tough for me to remember this but I did.â€
Meanwhile, on the US PGA Tour, DJ Trahan emerged victorious in the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Desert, California
Trahan closed with a seven-under-par 65 for a five-round total of 26-under-par and victory over veteran Justin Leonard by three strokes.
Anthony Kim shared third place with Kenny Perry on 22-under while Chez Reavie was a further stroke behind.
