Martin Kaymer ‘surprised’ by Troon course

• Martin Kaymer ‘surprised’ by Royal Troon course
• “Completely different” on front and back nines
• Says he’s not under pressure in Ryder Cup pursuit

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer described Royal Troon as ‘like two different golf courses’ as he prepares to make his tournament debut at the Ayrshire venue.

The 31-year-old visited this year’s Open venue for the first time in the weekend before the US Open, and said he was taken aback in the difference between the front and back nines.

“It’s always difficult to pass comment on a course when you’re just playing for fun and not in a tournament but I was surprised by how short the first nine are and how long the back nine is,” Martin Kaymer told bunkered.co.uk. “It’s like a completely different golf course from the front nine to the back nine.”

The German has been in good form of late with a flurry of top tens, but still remains outside the automatic qualification spots for this year’s Ryder Cup – where he has a record of 4-3-3 from his three appearances.

CONTINUES BELOW…

And although making it to Hazeltine is a goal, Martin Kaymer isn’t placing himself under any added pressure despite performances in the Open and US PGA Championship vital as to whether he’ll have to rely on a captain’s pick.

“The past few weeks have not really been frustrating – I just didn’t play good enough to win,” said Kaymer. There are very few things I need to work on and I feel I’m in a good position for the Open and the US PGA. There are only a couple of things here and there but nothing major.

“I never put myself under pressure. I keep saying it – if I make the team I’m good enough to make the team. If not, somebody else will help the team better than me.

“I will try everything I can but I won’t be putting myself under pressure and saying ‘I need to make the Ryder Cup team’ because I want to focus on the tournament I’m playing and if I take care of that, maybe I’m good enough and if not, then someone else will be there to help.”

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Martin Kaymer :: Possible Open champ?

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