Martin Kaymer, 27, has won three of the past four Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, he turned professional in 2005, won the Race to Dubai and the PGA Championship in 2010 and was ranked No. 1 in the world early last year.
1. Family is the most important thing. My family is very important to me and they have been so supportive of my career. My father introduced me to golf. I value everything they do for me. Losing my mum to cancer two weeks after winning the 2008 BMW international Open, which I dedicated to her, was the worst thing that has happened to me in my life.
2. Golf is just a game. It is important to remember that at the end of the day, it is just a sport. I try my best every day, but on some days things just don't happen for you. This philosophy helps keep me calm. Some things happen off the course that make you realise there are a lot worse things than playing in a golf tournament and making double-bogies.
3. Practice helps you get closer to perfect. There are no short cuts in golf - you have to train hard to keep up with your peers. Golf isn't a game of perfection but hard work pays off. Every golfer nowadays is working flat out and it inspires me to work harder. Winning doesn't make me want to rest on my laurels; it makes me want to work harder than ever.
4. Enjoy your life. In 2009, I was go-karting and broke my toe, bringing a very successful season to a premature end. Many people thought I had been foolish to jeopardise my golf by going go-karting but I believe we live only once and we should do what we enjoy. Football and basketball are two other passions of mine.
5. It's OK to dream. Like every young aspiring golfer, I dreamt of winning a major and becoming the No. 1 ranked player in the world. That these two dreams came true for me so early in my career makes me feel very fortunate and determined to regain the No. 1 spot and win more majors.
As told to Jemma Nicholls
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is ongoing at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. For details, go to www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
