Martin Kaymer again singled out Scottish-born caddy Craig Connelly for special praise after remaining in the lead after two rounds of the Players Championship.
Kaymer raised the German flag even higher in the PGA Tour’s flagship event adding a 69 to his opening course record equaling 63 to move to 12-under par in the $US 10m event.
The Dusseldorf-born golfer is looking for a first win since he and Connelly tasted success in the 2012 Nedbank Challenge at Sun City and some two months after Connelly gave Kaymer ‘the line’ to hole the victorious putt in the Ryder Cup.
Connelly was on the bag when Kaymer went to No. 1 in the world in capturing the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
But three months later the Glaswegian bagman was on the other and carrying the bag for England’s Paul Casey and Kaymer taking on Christian Donald, and the brother to Luke Donald.
However Kaymer and Connelly have again been an item since the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and helping the German end a run of two missed cuts since his victory along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Martin Kaymer and Glasgow caddy Craig Connelly as last year’s 2013 Open Championship. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Kaymer said: “I didn’t realise how good Craig was for me until I arranged for him to again caddy for me at Kiawah Island.
“Too often you get caught up in that mindset of being so serious out here with everyone is so focused on doing their own thing and so much into themselves.
“So with Craig back on the bag we’ve had a fun time.
“It’s very important you have someone you get along with, both on and off the golf course, as you can sometimes be travelling with them three or four weeks in a row, and like Craig and I are doing over these coming weeks.
“Craig hadn’t changed in the time we were part and I don’t think he ever will.
“I had Christian on bag for about 13 months but that didn’t work out, so with Craig I really enjoy working with him.”
And while Kaymer looks to secure the whopping $US 1.8m first prize cheque Welshman Jamie Donaldson again continues to cement his debut in the European Ryder Cup side.
Donaldson is currently second on the European Points List and again being encouraged this week by European Team Captain Paul McGinley to continue doing what’s he doing.
He said: “I spoke to Paul earlier this week and he was very good encouraging me and giving like a pat on the back and keep up the good work.
“That’s what I am trying to do every week and take it as it comes, and I know if I stick to that the Ryder Cup door should open for me.
“I’m in good position at the moment but then there is so much more to achieve before I can even think about qualifying for Gleneagles.
“So I also need to focus on them and not get excited about possibly playing in my first Ryder Cup”.
Donaldson, who was runner-up in March’s WGC – Cadillac Championship in suburban Miami, capped his round with four straight birdies from the ninth hole.
The double European Tour winner then birdied 16 and 17 but made a mess of the last in missing a four-footer for par.
