Dubai World Golf Championship - 1st Day: Martin Kaymer fails to impress
Martin Kaymer smashed a score of 5-under-par on the first day of the 2010 Dubai World Championship to draw closer to the massive prize money that is on offer.
Kaymer is currently leading the Race to Dubai rankings with four wins in the year. The 25-year-old German kept the tradition alive and took the charge on the first day. Although, he did not grab a share in the lead, but he did manage to
climb to the third place. He was the only professional named in Race to Dubai to take a place in top three.
The US PGA champion teed off from the back, but failed to manage a superb round. He could only help two birdies on the 10th and 11th.There was a huge curve observed on the forehead of the veteran: he seemed tense, owing
to the mounting pressure and the dogleg fairways of the first two holes. Faltering to the pressure, Kaymer parred the next seven holes and surrendered in front of the back nine with a score of two-under-par.
The next nine holes were considerably better. With Mc Dowell as the playing partner, Kaymer picked up a birdie on the par-5 second hole. Although, the pin placement was the most difficult there, but Kaymer used his irons well and earned
a point. He followed it with a superb long tee shot on the third hole. Kaymer got the ball safely landed on the fairway and managed a sharp cut facing towards the flag. The ball hammered right into the hole to carve the first eagle of the day.
Unfortunately, Kaymer could not keep up with the winning streak and dropped a shot at the par-3 fourth hole. To counter the loss, he quickly picked up the fourth birdie and wrapped the day with a score of 67.
His performance was not brilliant, considering his skills and rank in the race, according to the analysts. It was a turning point for the whole scenario and if Kaymer continues with the similar game in the next round, he will definitely
fail to reach the goal.
Analyzing his game, Kaymer said that he had a lot of pressure to cope with and that was the major reason behind his anxiety. He added that he had no room in his mind to wonder about the world number one rank, as he was trying to tackle the
current situation.
He was quoted as saying, “I think the last time I holed out from the fairway was on the Challenge Tour. I never got that lucky, but it's the right week - the most important of my career so far - to get lucky."
On the other hand, his most prominent competitor tasted dust on the Earth Golf Club located in Jumeirah Golf Estate, Dubai. Graeme Mc Dowell is second on the Race to Dubai rankings and is in a dangerously strong form. Despite the strengths,
G-Mac hardly cleared the pars and settled with two birdies and two bogeys.
Speaking to the press, Graeme said, "It frustrated me a little bit playing with him because he was playing so well. He kind of left me in the dust literally out there, so it's great to get away from him and the distraction tomorrow. In the morning, there
will be a little less grain on the greens and they will be a little less scuffed up. It should be a good chance to make some putts.”
Martin Kaymer finished third on the first day of the 2010 Dubai World Championship, which was staged at the Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai. The tournament will mark the end of the European tour and will nominate Europe’s new number one golfer. Kaymer led
the rankings, but he performed terrible. In order to win the massive bonus, the German needs to get hold on his nerves, or else he will lose the title, the way he did at Bermuda.
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