Hazeltine-bound: Martin Kaymer
As our series of profiles is rounded off with Darren Clarke’s three wildcard selections for The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, we take a closer look at two-time Major Champion and three-time European team member, Martin Kaymer.
Background
Career Record
European Tour appearances: 220
European Tour wins: 11
Top ten finishes: 64
Career earnings: €20,050,046
Ryder Cup record
Appearances: 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)
Matches: 10
Overall record (W-L-H): 4-3-3
Singles: 2-1-0
Foursomes: 0-0-2
Fourballs: 2-2-1
Total points: 5.5
Point percentage: 55 per cent
Ryder Cup highlights
- Won 2.5 points in his debut Ryder Cup appearance at Celtic Manor, with 1.5 of those coming alongside fellow captain’s pick Lee Westwood
- Holed a nerveless seven-foot putt to beat Steve Stricker by one hole and with it retained the Ryder Cup for Europe in a miraculous final-day comeback at Medinah in 2012
- Chipped in on the 16th hole at Gleneagles to beat Bubba Watson 4 and 2 in the Sunday singles in 2014
2016 qualification highlights
Despite needing a first wildcard pick to secure his fourth appearance in the blue of Europe in 2016, he had a highly consistent record during the qualification race. Started well with a second place finish in the 2015 Italian Open last September, before rounding off the 2015 season with a top ten spot in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. Only missed three cuts in 28 worldwide appearances during the points window and claimed nine top ten finishes with six of those coming in the last four months including a tied seventh place in the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol – his first Major top ten since winning the US Open in 2014.
Kaymer’s form during the points race:
