DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — After struggling in Singapore and missing last week’s Hong Kong Open, PGA champion Martin Kaymer is counting on a victory in this week’s Dubai World Championship to clinch his first European Tour money title.
The $7.5 million season-ending tournament in the Race to Dubai series starts Thursday with the German leading Graeme McDowell by $395,395 and top-ranked Lee Westwood by $1.25 million in the 60-player field.
McDowell, the U.S. Open champion, is the only player who could catch the 25-year-old Kaymer. McDowell could capture the title by winning the tournament or ending up alone in second as long as Kaymer finishes no higher than a tie for third.
Kaymer, who skipped the Hong Kong Open to rest up for Dubai, called this week “the biggest of my career so far” and said winning would complete three goals he set for himself: to win a major, win the Ryder Cup and become the No. 1 golfer in Europe.
“So two-thirds are done and hopefully this week I can win the Race To Dubai and become the No. 1 in Europe,” he said. “So then I have done everything in one year. It would be fantastic.”
