ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – It was the right time, simple as that. That was Martin Kaymer’s take on his decision to end his PGA Tour holdout and join the U.S. circuit this year.
“When I was 23 and 24, I was too young,” the German said on the eve of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which he has won three times. “Now I feel like I would like to try it out knowing what’s going to happen in America.”
Despite owning a house in Scottsdale, Ariz., the former world No. 1 declined membership following his PGA Championship victory in 2010. Successful swing changes last year, not to mention his Ryder Cup heroics at Medinah, convinced him it was time.
According to Kaymer’s manager he will play the next two weeks in the Middle East and start the U.S. portion of the schedule at the Waste Mangement Phoenix Open followed by the WGC-Accenture Match Play, WGC-Cadillac Championship, Tampa Bay Championship and The Masters.
The only surreal part of the decision for Kaymer, the 2007 European Tour Rookie of the Year, is the Tour regulation that has labeled him a rookie this year in the United States. “I am a rookie,” he shrugged, “it’s weird but it is what it is.”
Related Articles
Three-time Abu Dhabi champ Kaymer misses cut
by Associated Press | Jan 27, 2012 7:40 AM ETMartin Kaymer missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday, a year after he won the title by eight strokes. Read More
Loud and Clear
by Rex Hoggard | Jan 25, 2012 10:29 AM ETThe top players in the world spoke Wednesday at Abu Dhabi, which spoke volumes about the state of golf and where the power lies. Read More
Remarkably 'Stupid'
by Ryan Lavner | May 22, 2013 9:50 AM ETAcknowledging Wednesday that his remark was 'stupid and out of place,' Sergio Garcia again apologized to Tiger Woods. Read More
Hoggard, a senior writer, covers the PGA Tour and appears on-air in several capacities.
Latest News
- Garcia apologizes to Woods | Tee times
- Sergio 'fried chicken' jab | Tiger: 'Hurtful'
- Mell: Disagree with anchor ban, but pure intent
- Sergio sponsor TMaG: Comment 'offensive'
- Z. Johnson back at Colonial | Groupings | Tee times
- Colonial reax: Garcia remark | Singh, anchor
- Fantasy: BMW PGA, Crowne Plaza power rankings
- Lewis in rainy Bahamas | Under water | Tee times
- USGA, R&A ban anchored stroke | Explanation
- Chapman set to defend at Senior PGA | Tee times
- Fowler plans to donate $100K to tornado relief
- McIlroy denies G-Mac rift, mum on management
