Martin Kaymer finishes at the top of the money list for the first time
A great year for Martin Kaymer got a little better on Sunday 28 November when he played well enough at the Dubai World Championship to clinch the money title on the European Tour for the
first time in his career.
It capped off a breakout season for the 25-year-old German golfer, who won his first major at the PGA Championship, played in the Ryder Cup for the first time, and moved to number-three
in the world. All in all, Kaymer won $5.89 million on the year plus the $1.5 million bonus for finishing atop the money list.
"It's been a fantastic year," he said. "All of the goals that I set for myself, for my career, everything happened this year. To win the Race to Dubai [money title], number-one, and to
play the Ryder Cup and to win a major."
In terms of players who have won the money title, Kaymer follows up some impressive names including Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, and fellow countryman Bernhard
Langer. Including the PGA Championship, Kaymer had four victories in 2010, more than any other player on either the PGA Tour or the European Tour.
Kaymer said reaching number-one in the world would be great but he won’t sweat it if it doesn’t happen. "If it happens, it happens. But if it doesn't happen, I hope that I will have the
chance in a few years again."
Entering the final tournament of the year, Kaymer and Graeme McDowell were the only players capable of winning the money title. Because McDowell trailed Kaymer coming into the event, he
would have needed to outplay him to have a chance. But both players finished T13 at six-under for the event, forcing McDowell to have to settle for second-place.
McDowell, the 31-year-old Northern Irishman who won the U.S. Open this year and sunk the cup-winning putt at the Ryder Cup, said he’s had a great year. "It's been a dream season. Just
so happened that Martin Kaymer had an unbelievable season as well, and it's just been a great year for European golf and I'm just very proud to be part of that."
McDowell, 11th in the world, said seeing Lee Westwood supplant Tiger Woods at the top in late October has given him some confidence that he could pull it off as well. "Of course, I'd be
lying to you if I didn't think I could be the world's number-one. I think a few years ago, Tiger Woods looked pretty untouchable, pretty invincible and we were all playing for second really. I think nowadays it's a little different.”
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