Kaymer Sets Sights on Hall of Fame

Martin Kaymer, the new world number one golfer, has revealed that he will not consider the title genuine until Tiger Woods returns to somewhere near his best.

The German, who reached the top of the world rankings during the Accenture World Matchplay Championships over the weekend in Tucson, Arizona, has been quick to point out that, for all his success in the past year, some is down to the demise of the previously indomitable American.

The 26-year-old won his first major, the US PGA, last summer, the European money list now known as the Race to Dubai, was part of the European winning Ryder Cup team, and has now soared up to first in the world rankings. He also won the Laureus Breakthrough Sportsman of the Year award last month as well. �

Woods, meanwhile, the 14-time Major winner, has not won a single tournament in two years during which time his marriage has collapsed after his extra-marital affairs became public knowledge.

“Everybody wants to see Tiger back to his very best, and that includes me,” said Kaymer, having just lost the final of the World Matchplay to Britain’s Luke Donald.

“Without Tiger there’s no way I, or golf, would be as big as we are right now. Over the last ten to twelve years the sport has become massive due to one person, and that’s Tiger Woods. For me he’s the greatest golfer who ever lived.

“So I am immensely proud to be ahead of Tiger in the world rankings, and it will is very special that I have become the world’s highest ranked player, but there is no doubt that Tiger’s game has, by his incredible standards, been a long way below his best and I am very mindful of this.

“If there’s one thing better than being the number one it will be in the knowledge that I am the best in the world with Tiger back to his best challenging me. That would be the true measure of me as a champion.”

Even though Woods is now 35 years old, and is enduring a drought as barren as the American has ever known since turning professional, Kaymer is convinced he will be rediscover his best form since.

“He obviously needs to sort everything out in his life away from the golf course but once he’s more settled in his personal life I am convinced Tiger will get close to his very best again. I certainly hope so. First I need to get to the top of the rankings, and I know Lee has something to say about that, but if I achieve this goal then I hope I’m given the opportunity to fight the true Tiger for the number one spot.”

Kaymer also admitted that he found it difficult at first to come to terms with his incredible success in 2010, stating that three of his career goals were achieved inside 12 months.

“To win a major, to play in a Ryder Cup, and to be number one in Europe were three goals I set out to achieve in my life, not in a single year,” he explained. “It’s fair to say I never expected it, and that it was a big, big surprise.

“Of course, you’re never going to turn it down, and it’s what I call a luxury problem to have, but it also meant re-adjusting my goals now. Everyone will be wondering how I can follow up what I achieved last year, and if I fall short of last season’s achievements then some may see it as some kind of failure.

“The reality is that it can be done again and again. I spoke to Lee about this. We both agreed that many players can win a major or be number one in Europe, but can they keep on doing it? It was difficult at first after so much success, but now I realise that this should be just the start, not the end of my career.

“The true greats of golf, the players who made the Hall of Fame which is one of my big goals in life, won many majors, played in many Ryder Cups, and stayed at the top of the rankings for a long period of time.
“That’s what I now aim to do.”