Martin Kaymer would love to win the Andalucía Masters and close the gap on leader Luke Donald in The Race to Dubai – but the German insists there will be no repeat of last week’s pyrotechnics by Sergio Garcia.
Garcia quite simple blew away the field – and his home course in Castellón – to win the Castelló Masters by 11 shots on 27 under par.
But former US PGA Champion Kaymer believes the winning benchmark will be much lower this week.
“I don’t think the winning score is going to be in double digits this week,” he said. “I figure if you shoot every round one or two under par, you have a fairly good chance to win the Andalucía Masters.
“I like this course because it’s very difficult, every hole is different and it never gets boring. When you stand on the tee box you really have to commit to your shot - there’s no bail out.
“It’s very nice to be back in Valderrama for the Andalucía Masters. I’ve got a lot of good memories here - although my best finish was fifth or sixth - but coming here was always a highlight, specially knowing that the Ryder Cup was here with Seve as the Captain.
“There's a lot of history in this place and also it's one of my favourite courses in the world, so there are plenty of reasons for me to want to come.”
Kaymer is currently fourth in The Race to Dubai – but with Donald likely to miss several tournaments in the near future as he waits for his wife Dianne to give birth to their second child – the 26 year old knows there is still a chance to erode the €1,900,000 gap.
Kaymer sealed his first Race to Dubai in the Middle East last year, but England’s Justin Rose was Order of Merit champion in 2007 when the European Tour season finished in the south of Spain.
“I have lots of happy memories of 2007,” said Rose. “Winning the Order of Merit was my biggest achievement and winning the Volvo Masters, a tournament I always wanted to win, was a great feeling, and it was fantastic to do it on a course like Valderrama.
“I look forward to doing well at the Andalucía Masters - when you beat a good field on a great golf course, it’s always very special.
“My three wins on the US PGA Tour have been great, they have given me the feeling of playing at a very high level. I’m particularly happy with the way I handled pressure and coping with the big crowds.”
While Rose has been in good form in the States - he won last month’s BMW Championship – he is weary of Garcia repeating his sparkling form from last week.
“I met Sergio yesterday and I told him to take it easy!” joked the Englishman.
