Martin Kaymer believes he is somewhat “under the radar” this week as he looks to continue his phenomenal record at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The World Number Four has won the last two stagings of the event at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, having finished second in 2009 and first in 2008.
Such an overwhelming track record would usually make the former US PGA Championship winner a red-hot favourite, but an incredibly strong field has assembled in the desert to the extent that Kaymer does not even consider his three-ball with World Number Two Lee Westwood and Spanish star Sergio Garcia the main attraction.
“I think there's less focus on me now,” said the German, when asked about the presence of former World Number One Tiger Woods.
“I'm not playing in that group tomorrow, if you want to call it the best group to watch or the most entertaining. I know that people will want see Tiger, the Number One in the world [Luke Donald] and Rory McIlroy so that's a great group to watch.
“And I think Westwood, Sergio and me, we are a little bit under the radar, which is fine with me. But it always adds a little bit if Tiger Woods is here. You can see when he came on the putting green earlier, there are more people all of a sudden around you, and he has a very special aura.
“It's always nice to play tournaments where he's playing, because it adds a little bit of everything, and it will help you in the future if you look at it, try to figure out what it is really, and why he created that awe for people, and it's good for the tournament and I'm very happy he came over here.”
This week represents Kaymer’s first start on the 2012 Race to Dubai, but the 27 year old is confident of more success on a course he so clearly loves.
“Obviously I really like the golf course,” he added. “That is the main thing why I play very well here.
“Also, if you have not played golf or tournament golf for so long, you are motivated to play again, and you can't wait to play another round of golf, and that actually counts properly.
“It's the golf tournament, the whole organisation, the hotel where we are staying - when I come to the clubhouse, the people welcome me, saying welcome home; a lot of things, they make me feel very comfortable here.
“I'm looking forward to playing again.”
