Home favourite Max Kieffer, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday, talks about life in Düsseldorf, playing a practice round at the US Open with Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer, Germany’s chances in Euro2016 and making more birdies than anyone else last season.
Düsseldorf is a nice city with some nice areas by the riverand other green areas and I really like it here. It’s a fairly big city but not so big that you get lost. There is always something to do and I have my best friends here so to be home for a tournament is always nice. The only downside is that it gets a bit cold in winter but that is all.
My home course is Hubbelrath Golf Club but I know the course here at Gut Lärchenhof pretty well and have played many times. It helps to know this course but it is all in front of you and not so tricky so there is not a big home advantage.
When at home I like to relax and spend time with my friends. And most of my friends play golf so we play a lot of golf when I am here. I don’t give them any shots as we normally play as a fourball in teams, and I don’t always win. They are good golfers and it’s nice to have friends to practice with and play for a few euros.
I also like to go to the gym. I find it gets my head free and also helps my golf. Also just relax, have a nice dinner or watch a bit of TV. I’m enjoying Game of Thrones at the moment.
Playing a practice round at the US Open with Martin and Rory was great.I have played a lot with Martin but only in tournament rounds with Rory so it was nice to be more relaxed in practice and you can ask him more things. I was really impressed with how well he hit it. It is always good to play with the world’s best players and you can always learn something.
Oakmont was tough. I didn’t play very well but I enjoyed it. I like playing tough golf courses and like the challenge. It actually played a bit easier with the rain on the Wednesday but that did make it very long and a very tough test. I was a bit off from the tee and once you are a bit off with your rhythm it is hard to get it back. There is not one hole where you can relax a little, play safe to the middle of the green and get back into the round. You have to hit good shot after good shot. But the atmosphere was fantastic and you have the best players in the world. It really motivates you to play there as you want to get back.
Only problem I have this week is my clubs. I flew back from America four days ago but my golf bag still hasn't shown up. It's just one of those problems we have on Tour but obviously the timing isn't great. Fingers crossed they showed up, or I might be borrowing some clubs from a friend this week!
I have not watched much of Euro 2016 so far and last night’s game against Northern Ireland was the first match I have seen in full. Watched a bit of the game against Poland with the delay at the US Open but not much else. In the States you are focused on the tournament and the time difference doesn’t help. But yesterday they played very well and they are a tournament team - they get better as the tournament goes on and think they will have a very good run. You have to have a little luck as well but think they are one of the favourites.
Last year was a very good season
as I played very consistent golf. I had a lot of good finishes and would have just liked to have won one. Had a few chances and that was the only thing which could have been better. But golf game-wise I was very happy. 22 cuts was very consistent and obviously made a lot of birdies. I was hitting it well last year. This year has been different and not been as consistent. I have been struggling with the ball striking and the feeling is not there as it was. But my putting is coming good and I have a new putting coach - the head pro here at Gut Lärchenhof, Stephen Sweeney. That is helping and overall I have a decent ranking position so it has been okay.
No celebrations planned for my birthday on Saturday
. There is enough going on this week anyway. I would be fine if it was not my birthday this week. I would like to play well though and that would be the birthday present.
