DUBAI // Martin Kaymer resurfaced for the first time since the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and, almost as unexpected as that Sunday at the National Course, said he had found sanctuary in his capital collapse – satisfaction, even.
“For me, it was a very, very nice week in Abu Dhabi,” said the German yesterday, as he returns to competitive golf with this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“Of course I would’ve loved to win and I hope I have another chance in the future to win that tournament. But this year, it was more important to lose. It was more important for the future to lose, in order to win more.”
Refreshingly candid, Kaymer was tasked with reliving what ranked as one of the greatest final-round surrenders in European Tour history.
Already a three-time winner in Abu Dhabi, he simply disintegrated in the desert, plummeting from 10 shots clear with 13 holes to play and eventually finishing third.
Given his previous dominance and those hoary old stereotypes regarding the efficiency of his country of origin, Kaymer’s capitulation will live long in the memory.
For the guy who ultimately matters most, though, that is not necessarily a negative.
“I don’t want to call it a bad experience, because it’s not,” Kaymer said. “It creates a bad result on the scorecard, but it creates a lot of truth about yourself.
“That we are not machines, that the German engineering doesn’t always work. It does, usually, but once in a while it sticks, too. Therefore it was a brilliant day for me.”
In the immediate aftermath, it seemed anything but. Kaymer emerged from the blowout more than a little dazed and confused, although he quickly found solace.
In keeping with his previously impenetrable veneer, he merely resolved to get better.
There were no temper tantrums or the need to seek answers at the bottom of a bottle.
“You would think that, and I was surprised about that, too,” Kaymer said. “I was totally fine.
“My brother came into the room and said: ‘Don’t you want to destroy a hanger or something?’ But I said: ‘No, I’m fine’, because I was still so surprised by what happened. It was so new for me.”
It most certainly was.
Kaymer has long displayed a total command of his game; only months before, he cruised to a record-breaking victory at the US Open, his second major championship success.
Losing to Gary Stal in Abu Dhabi was therefore unforeseen, but it has provided a large helping of foresight.
“I’m very glad I had that experience, because if I would’ve won Abu Dhabi again it would be: ‘Yeah, great, you can name the course Martin Kaymer Golf Course’, and all these things.
“That would’ve been good, but I wouldn’t have gained much. I would’ve gotten a little more money, a few more world ranking points and another beautiful trophy in my house.
“But I can handle losing all three of those things. Sunday, I think, will be better for the future.”
This week’s Desert Classic represents the immediate future. Kaymer’s best finish here came on debut in 2008, when he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods. He returns a significantly different golfer, albeit one with perhaps a point to prove – or perhaps not.
“Prove a point for who, that’s the question,” he said.
“That was part of the reflection, as well.
“Who do you do it for? Do you do it for others, for their expectations? Do you do it for yourself? I didn’t come here to Dubai to prove to others I could win a golf tournament. I don’t care about this. I proved that many, many times before.
“There have been many situations that were more difficult – more important – so I know it has nothing to do with my game.
“I enjoy this place a lot. I’ve good memories, the golf course is in great shape, there’s a good field.
“So there’s nothing really you shouldn’t look forward to. I approach the week a happy Martin Kaymer.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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