Abu Dhabi, UAE. 20th January, 2008


After four trailblazing days atop the leaderboard, German ‘wunderkid’ Martin Kaymer today survived a nervy final round to clinch his maiden European PGA Tour victory at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Carding a final round of 74 to finish 15-under par, Kaymer finished four shots ahead of nearest challengers, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, to seal a historic win.

After starting the day at 17-under par, three front nine bogeys dropped Kaymer to 14-under and severely threatened to derail the 2007 European PGA Tour Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year’s quest for the ‘Falcon’ trophy.

A vital birdie on hole 10 – with title rivals Stenson and Westwood both at 11-under par, and ready to pounce on any Kaymer collapse – got the 23-year old’s round back on track.

It was far from vintage stuff from Kaymer, but a seven stroke lead from his sterling earlier Championship rounds of 66, 65 and 68 protected the Dusseldorf man’s top-of-the-table position.

“This is an unbelievable feeling. It doesn’t feel like I have won by four shots – they were chasing me the whole time and there was a lot of pressure, but I stuck to my game plan and kept attacking,” said Kaymar.

“My birdie on 10 was really important because I had noticed that I was only two shots ahead and that birdie gave me a little bit of confidence for the remaining eight holes.

“I definitely want to return next year – you get everything and feel so welcome. I feel really comfortable in Abu Dhabi, and I think it showed in my game.”

Presenting the coveted ‘Falcon Trophy’ to Kaymer, His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) - which organises the championship - congratulated the young German star and spoke of the ADTA’s commitment to building the event.

“With three highly successful Championships now behind us we look forward to building an even bigger event in the future. We are totally committed to golf, to this event and to sporting endeavours – we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2009 and to following Martin’s career in the 12 months until he hopefully returns to defend his title. He has certainly brought great excitement to the spectators this week and the sport will now associate his first major victory with Abu Dhabi,” said Sheikh Sultan.

Lee Westwood, whose second place Abu Dhabi finish will certainly boost his current world ranking of 23, started the day at 9-under par and quickly asserted himself as the main obstacle to Kaymer’s seemingly inevitable victory march with birdies on his first two holes.

The Englishman’s progress slowed thereafter, and despite birdies opportunities on the 13th, 14th and 15th – which would have primed him for his own title tilt – Westwood failed to capitalise.

“I gave them all too much of a head-start this week, two under after the first two days is not really good enough, you want to be a bit closer than that,” said Westwood.

“I put up a fight at the weekend which was good – I was hoping to get to double figures and I got to 11-under, so I’m pleased with that.”

Stenson’s ‘King of the Swing’ pursuit – Abu Dhabi is the only title missing in his Gulf Swing set – ended with a second Championship runner-ups position in three attempts. Sweden’s number one has not feel confident off the tees all week, and despite displaying a well-oiled short game to stay in the hunt, the normally big-hitting UAE-based star was full of praise for the all-conquering Kaymer.

“I’ve been struggling with my tee-ball all week long and it was no different today – I didn’t hit enough fairways. If I had a strong driver in the bag, I feel like I could have given Kaymer a run for his money,” said the ice-cool Swede.

“This is an important year with the Ryder Cup at the end of the season and this brings some good points for both Lee and myself, and that is where I am heading. I will try and be consistent for the rest of the year to fill up the points.”