Listen to Martin Kaymer speak is a glowing message of consciouness.
Put simply, Kaymer is aware and after letting slip victory last Sunday following a poor tee shot at the 71st hole, Kaymer looked back on video of that final round and realised what he had done wrong that led to missing out on the play-off and settle for a share of third place at The Belfry.
Having learnt from that small yet simple mistake, Kaymer is a vastly different golfer and opponent now heading to day four of the Andalucia Masters.
American John Catlin continues to lead the Spanish event by adding a third round 72 and to be the only player under par heading to the final day at two-under after 54 holes in bright but continuing windy conditions on the Costa del Sol.
However, Catlin was leading by four shots with two holes to play only to open the door on his rivals with a pair of closing bogeys.
Caltin, 29, has won seven times in Asia but is seeking a maiden Tour victory in just his 33rd event while also looking to make amends in being thrown out of last month’s English Championship when he and his caddy breached strict COVID-19 ‘stay in the bubble’ restrictions by heading out to a local restaurant.
Biggest threat to the American is the double Major-winning Kaymer with the German posting a two-under par 69 and move into second spot at level par.
Classy finish from a classy player 👏@MKaymer59 will be in the final group on Sunday for the second week in a row.#ValderramaMasters pic.twitter.com/XirVBrjlS2
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2020
Kaymer, and now aged 35, was the only player in the remaining field of 77 to finish under par on day three over the famed Spanish course.
He spoke of what he learnt from last week’s final round at The Belfry and how he’s learnt from simply a too quick swing off the 71st tee.
“I was very surprised with myself on 17 last week, especially the tee shot. The third shot, fourth shot and fifth shot, they can happen. But 17 was the easiest tee shot on the golf course for me, so that was very surprising,” he said.
“So, I got a copy of the coverage and I watched it on Tuesday and Wednesday, the last two or three holes, tried to learn something and it was just a very quick swing. Even though it’s not a Major or anything, it was still a big tournament and it still matters.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, winning always matters, and I just swung the golf club very fast and I couldn’t control it.”
And with wily Scottish caddy Craig ‘Weeman’ Connolly on the bag, Kaymer also is out to make-up for letting slip victory last week at The Belfry as he seeks also to end a six-year victory drought since capturing the 2014 U.S. Open.
Kaymer said: “Even though this tournament is not a major or anything, it is still a big tournament and no matter where it is, winning always matters.
“I just swung the club very, very fast playing the 71st hole last week and I couldn’t control it, so that is what I’ve learned from last week going into this week.
“So, going into tomorrow will be a completely different approach. This golf course does not require six or seven birdies as it’s more about trying to avoid the bogeys.
“If you can create birdie chances then good but if you can walk away with a par that is always a decent score here.
“Of course, it’s been a while since I last won but I have always been about winning. It’s all about winning and that is why you enter golf tournaments and for me it has been a while since I won.
“It’s just good to be in contention again and feel that feeling of having the chance to win a golf tournament is really, really nice.
“Also, I’ve always had a dream of winning at Valderrama as it’s been a goal since the first time I came here in ’07 when I pulled the golf trolley myself when I played a practice round.
“It was one of the most enjoyable practice rounds I’ve ever had and it was just myself and Valderrama, and to win on Valderrama would be something very, very special.”
