Kaymer wins PGA in playoff
Source: Agencies |
August 17, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GERMANY'S Martin Kaymer maintained ice-cool composure to win his maiden major title in a gripping two-way playoff with American Bubba Watson for the 92nd US PGA Championship in Wisconsin on Sunday.
With American Dustin Johnson having earlier been eliminated from the playoff in stunning fashion after being handed a two-stroke penalty, Kaymer went on to clinch the prized Wanamaker Trophy over three extra holes at Whistling Straits.
"I cannot win anything bigger," the beaming 25-year-old told reporters after becoming only the second German to land a major title. His compatriot Bernhard Langer clinched the US Masters in 1985 and 1993.
"The majors, they are the biggest tournaments we play. It's cool to see my name (on the trophy) next to Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and all those guys. It will take me a while to realize what has happened."
Kaymer's victory made him the sixth first-time winner in the last seven majors with Phil Mickelson's emotional victory at the US Masters in April the sole exception. Watson holed a three-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole, the par-four 10th, but Kaymer immediately responded by sinking a 15-footer to birdie the treacherous 223-yard 17th.
The German then sealed victory in the year's final major with a bogey at the par-four 18th after both players found the right rough off the tee.
Creek
The long-hitting Watson struck his second shot into a creek guarding the front of the green on the way to a double-bogey six.
Kaymer laid up with his second shot and struck his third to 15 feet before two-putting for the title.
After tapping in from less than two feet, the Dusseldorf native removed his cap to acknowledge the roars from the crowd crammed around the green before shaking hands with Watson.
"I just hope with this win, I can make golf more popular in Germany," Kaymer said after earning a cheque for US$1.35 million. "Bernhard Langer obviously inspired me when I was a kid, and I hope that I can now inspire teenagers as well."
Kaymer, who sank a 15-foot par putt at the last for a 70, and Watson, after firing a 68, went into the playoff with each of them seeking a maiden major victory.
Britain's Rory McIlroy, at 21 aiming to become the youngest major winner in 80 years, signed off with a 72 to share third place at 10 under with American Zach Johnson (70).
Six players held at least a share of the lead during the final round and six were still in the title hunt with three holes remaining before the championship went into a playoff.
It was day to forget, though, for American Nick Watney who led by three strokes overnight but double-bogeyed the first and tripled-bogeyed the seventh on the way to a nightmare 81 and a tie for 18th at four under.
Phil Mickelson, winner of the 2005 PGA Championship, fired a best-of-the-day 67 to share 12th place at six under, four better than world No. 1 Tiger Woods, who again struggled with his driving on the way to a 73.
China's Liang Wenchong, who set the course record with a 64 on Saturday, shot a final round one-over 73 and finished in a tie for eighth.
With American Dustin Johnson having earlier been eliminated from the playoff in stunning fashion after being handed a two-stroke penalty, Kaymer went on to clinch the prized Wanamaker Trophy over three extra holes at Whistling Straits.
"I cannot win anything bigger," the beaming 25-year-old told reporters after becoming only the second German to land a major title. His compatriot Bernhard Langer clinched the US Masters in 1985 and 1993.
"The majors, they are the biggest tournaments we play. It's cool to see my name (on the trophy) next to Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and all those guys. It will take me a while to realize what has happened."
Kaymer's victory made him the sixth first-time winner in the last seven majors with Phil Mickelson's emotional victory at the US Masters in April the sole exception. Watson holed a three-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole, the par-four 10th, but Kaymer immediately responded by sinking a 15-footer to birdie the treacherous 223-yard 17th.
The German then sealed victory in the year's final major with a bogey at the par-four 18th after both players found the right rough off the tee.
Creek
The long-hitting Watson struck his second shot into a creek guarding the front of the green on the way to a double-bogey six.
Kaymer laid up with his second shot and struck his third to 15 feet before two-putting for the title.
After tapping in from less than two feet, the Dusseldorf native removed his cap to acknowledge the roars from the crowd crammed around the green before shaking hands with Watson.
"I just hope with this win, I can make golf more popular in Germany," Kaymer said after earning a cheque for US$1.35 million. "Bernhard Langer obviously inspired me when I was a kid, and I hope that I can now inspire teenagers as well."
Kaymer, who sank a 15-foot par putt at the last for a 70, and Watson, after firing a 68, went into the playoff with each of them seeking a maiden major victory.
Britain's Rory McIlroy, at 21 aiming to become the youngest major winner in 80 years, signed off with a 72 to share third place at 10 under with American Zach Johnson (70).
Six players held at least a share of the lead during the final round and six were still in the title hunt with three holes remaining before the championship went into a playoff.
It was day to forget, though, for American Nick Watney who led by three strokes overnight but double-bogeyed the first and tripled-bogeyed the seventh on the way to a nightmare 81 and a tie for 18th at four under.
Phil Mickelson, winner of the 2005 PGA Championship, fired a best-of-the-day 67 to share 12th place at six under, four better than world No. 1 Tiger Woods, who again struggled with his driving on the way to a 73.
China's Liang Wenchong, who set the course record with a 64 on Saturday, shot a final round one-over 73 and finished in a tie for eighth.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
