Ryder Cup winning star Martin Kaymer confessed he knew he become either a ‘hero’ or the ‘biggest idiot’ as he stood over his par putt on the final green last Sunday at Medinah.
Kaymer ensured the Ryder Cup would remain in European Team hands by holing the putt to defeat American rival Steve Stricker.
The German’s victory in the penultimate Singles match gave Europe a 14 points all draw moments before American Tiger Woods and Italy’s Francesco Molinari tied their match to give Europe a one point success.
Martin Kaymer confessed he was staring at becoming the ‘hero or biggest idiot’ in last week’s Ryder Cup. (Photo – Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
“It was such fine line between being the hero or the biggest idiot,” said Kaymer.
“Fortunately, it went the right way but the reception has been fantastic since returning and I have been very surprised how many people have come up to and congratulated me.
“Alright I made the putt for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup but I wouldn’t say an uncomfortable situation but it was a little strange situation it came down to me.
“Obviously, I had the pleasure to make the last putt, but at the end of the day I just got one point even though I only played twice.
“There were other guys, they inspired the team a lot more than me on Sunday. What (Ian) Poulter had done that Sunday afternoon is very difficult to put into words.
“He deserves a lot more credit than anyone else on the team I believe.”
And Kaymer knew in being put out late on Sunday the fate of the Ryder Cup could come to down to the outcome in the final three matches.
“The night before when I heard that I was the 11th player out the next day, I thought those above me were very experienced players ahead of me on the European Team,” he said.
“They were playing against a few rookies on the American side and I thought that it would come down to match 10, 11 or 12, and I was alert of the situation.
“Then when I played the first nine and I saw all the blue on the board, I was very happy.
“It was a situation where I felt there’s a lot going on, there could be something huge happening today and I thought it could come down to Francesco’s (Molinari) or my match.”
And helping Kaymer prepare for the Singles showdown was a hour-long chat he had with fellow German Bernhard Langer, captain of the victorious 2004 European Team but also the villain of the losing 1991 European side.
Twenty-one years earlier at Kiawah Island Langer was also out in the penultimate Singles match against American Hale Irwin but missed a similar length putt as Kaymer’s to hand a similar 14 ½ to 13 ½ victory to Team USA.
“Bernard had come into the team room on Wednesday, and then I had a long chat with Thomas Bjorn on Friday, and could tell I felt a little uncomfortable,” said Kaymer.
“Thomas suggested I should talk to Bernhard about his experiences, because he had a lot with a lot of different characters on the team and how to feel comfortable to play his best golf.
“I thought it was a good idea and I texted Bernhard on Friday evening.
“So we sat down for an hour and talked about a bunch of stuff, and that was very nice and it inspired me more.
“It gave me the right attitude for the Sunday.”
However Kaymer also confessed he was shocked how the normally self-controlled German reacted when his putt dropped by running and jumping into the arms of team mate, Sergio Garcia.
“I asked my brother if I looked ridiculous on TV because I was in a complete new zone, and I have never seen myself like this,” said Kaymer.
“He said, no, no, you’re fine.
“He even said if it would not look ridiculous, and it’s a good thing, because it came natural. It’s how you felt, it’s a true feeling, it doesn’t matter.
“So I’ve watched my reaction a few times on TV and YouTube and stuff. Yeah, it’s didn’t look that bad.”
And while Kaymer has tasted success in the 2010 PGA Championship and in two Ryder Cups, the Dusseldorf-born golfer has set himself the goal of sealing victory in golf’s oldest Major.
“It’s nice to win a Major and fabulous now to have been on two winning Ryder Cup teams but my big goal is still to win the British Open,” he said.
Kaymer returns to competition at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and with manager, Johann Elliot as his amateur partner, and looking for a repeat of his success in the week after the 2010 Ryder Cup.
“The first time I played in the Ryder Cup I came here a week later and won the Dunhill Links and it would be nice to do that again,” he said.
“I know that Johann is really looking forward to the week and so am I.
“So now after the wonderful ride and the journey last week it’s time to focus on this week’s tournament.”
