Martin would have done his country proud
IT must be something they put in the water there because Martin Kaymer’s US PGA victory at Whistling Straits was so typically Germanic.
The young man handled himself magnificently and was as solid as a rock for the final 36 holes en route to his maiden Major title, which was encapsulated by his birdie on 17 in the play-off.
He admitted afterwards he felt nervous, and that surprised me as it seemed he was fazed by nothing, even when Bubba Watson went one up in the play-off.
You have to sympathise with Dustin Johnson for being penalised two shots for grounding his club in the bunker, but he doesn’t have a leg to stand on in the rulebook. The players were clearly told beforehand that any sand was designated as a bunker, although in fairness to Dustin, it didn’t look much like a bunker.
Rory McIlroy flew the British flag and couldn’t have played any better in his quest for a first Major, only to come up a shot short.
Tiger Woods’s tie for 28th at Whistling Straits meant he was unable to secure automatic qualification on the US Ryder Cup team for Celtic Manor in October.
He finished only 12th in the standings, but although he is struggling with his game at the moment, leaving Tiger Woods out of the Ryder Cup team would be like England’s 1966 team dropping Bobby Charlton.
It won’t be quite so easy for Colin Montgomerie, however, who’s job got even tougher with the likes of Luke Donald now joining a host of big names relying on a wild card.
It’s a big week for me also as I look to revitalise my Seniors Tour season at my home event, the Scottish Senior Open. This is a very special tournament for me – as it is being played on my own designed links course at Fairmont St Andrews, so I should know my way around it.
It’s also the ideal time to put right some indifferent form and close the gap on my old mate Bernhard Langer at the top. My game feels at lot more solid, so I’m looking forward to it.