Double Major winning Martin Kaymer has broken his silence on the PGA Tour ruling banning him from earning FedEx Cup points next season.
Kaymer was ruled out of FedEx Cup contention for the the 2015/16 PGA Tour wraparound season plus restricted to 12 events as a non-PGA Tour member after contesting just 13 events and two short of the mandatory 15 to retain full membership.
This was despite Kaymer earning a five-year exemption in capturing last year’s Players Championship and a same five-year exemption a month later when won the U.S. Open.
Double Major winning Martin Kaymer speaks out over his PGA Tour one year ban.
The PGA Tour stressed the German’s situation different to American Steve Stricker, who played just nine events, as Kaymer’s ‘home’ tour is the European Tour.
“I had known about the PGA Tour rule for about the last two to three months, and I just needed to play better to get myself into the Play-Offs and I didn’t,” he said.
“It means that I have to play to one less tournament next year than I managed this year and while it’s not ideal, as I would like to be competing in the Play-Offs, I have to accept their decision.
“My schedule this year was based on qualifying for the Play-Offs and if I had of qualified, I would have played my minimum 15 tournaments.
“I thought I would have at least qualified for the Barclays, and the first of the Play-Offs, but it just didn’t work out.
“It is the rule and while others have made a big issue out of it, I am happy with the decision.
“But then it does mean at this time next year you will again see me competing back in events like the KLM Open and the Italian Open.”
In fact, Kaymer has turned his attention to the European Tour after contesting last week’s KLM Open in Holland and now putting himself into contention, and despite a restless night of just four hours sleep, with round of 66 and a 10-under par total and just three off the lead on day two of the Italian Open at Monza.
Kaymer has won in Germany, France and Holland but yet to taste success in Italy.
“I was awake all night clock watching and for some reason just could not get to sleep properly,” he said.
“I only managed about four hours sleep or so but then I have enjoyed returning to these traditional old-style courses like last week in Holland and here in Italy.
“It’s like getting back to normal golf and the type of courses I played regularly at the start of my pro career.”
The Scandinavian pair of Jens Fahrbring of Sweden (64) and Luca Bjerregaar of Denmark (65) share the lead on 13-under par.
However for a second Race to Dubai event running a ‘preferred lie’ is in effect over the four rounds of the Milano Golf Club course.
