Two-time Major Champion Martin Kaymer believes he is just a whisker away from a first victory of the season as he returns to a happy hunting ground, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The 30 year old took the title in 2010, the fourth win in a brilliant campaign during which he also claimed his first Major, at the US PGA Championship, and made his Ryder Cup debut.
A runner-up finish, in 2008, and seventh place, in 2013, also feature on Kaymer’s glittering CV, giving him even more reason to love returning to St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, the tremendous triumvirate of links golf which make up the prestigious US$5million event.
“It's a golf course and a golf tournament I look forward to every year,” said the German, who was second in the Open d’Italia a fortnight ago. “It’s a place I enjoy and that I’m very passionate about.
"If you love golf, you can’t not love coming to this place."
Martin Kaymer
The 22 year old turned professional immediately after he starred in Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victory, and last week came through the First Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.
“This is a great opportunity for me to make a good start to my professional career. I have great memories of St Andrews – and a few tough ones from the last day,” he said, referring to his final round 78 which left him in a share of 30th place.
“I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself because of the event it is."
Paul Dunne
"I’m just trying to take it in stride and hopefully I play great golf.
“It’s important not to look back on the negative points from The Open. Obviously there are some things that I could improve on, like how I handled myself in the last round and the shots I hit, but there was also a lot of great golf there.”
