Back-to-back
July 12, 2009
With four steady scores in the sixties (69, 65, 66, and a final round 69), Kaymer notched the fourth win of his young career, following last week's Open de France victory at Le Golf National outside of Paris.
Kaymer's 72-hole total of 15-under-par 269 at Loch Lomond GC was good enough to give the young German a two-shot victory.
"I have really enjoyed the last two days especially. The spectators were amazing the way they supported us," Kaymer told reporters after the round.
"This week was very special because Scotland is the home of golf," he added.
Kaymer topped Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano by two shots. Fernandez-Castano had held the overnight lead after a sparkling Saturday 64 but failed to hold on for the win on Sunday, shooting a final round one-over-par 72.
Raphael Jacquelin of France shared second place with Fernandez-Castano, after two sterling rounds of 5-under-par 66 on the weekend.
In form ahead of British Open
Kaymer couldn't have picked a better time to go on a hot streak, as this coming Thursday sees the beginning of the British Open Championship, which will be contested at the legendary Turnberry Ailsa Links.
The British Open is the year's third major championship, which has been won by Tiger Woods, golf's number one ranked player, a total of three times. If Kaymer were to make next week his third consecutive victory, it would put him into the top ten of the world golf rankings.
"Everyone is asking me if I can win three in a row but it is a major we are playing this week and the field will be the best we have all year long," Kaymer told reporters when asked about his chances at Turnberry.
But come as it may, Sunday's victory at Loch Lomond solidifies the 24-year-old's position as one of Europe's finest golfers.
Past Scottish Open winners include major champions Ernie Els (South Africa) and Tom Lehman (United States), and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, who was long regarded as Europe's top player.
The win is Kaymer’s fourth on The European Tour and places him second with Alex Cejka on the list of most prolific German winners, behind only Bernhard Langer.
glb/Reuters/pgaeuropeantour.com
Editor: Kyle James