A refreshed Martin Kaymer feels it is “time to perform again” in front of his home supporters in this week’s BMW International Open, in Munich.
Kaymer bowed out early in defence of his US Open title last week, missing the cut at Chambers Bay, but that gave him additional time back in his native Germany to rest and prepare for a busy week ahead at Golfclub München Eichenried.
The two-time Major Champion, who plays the first two rounds with Henrik Stenson and Shane Lowry, is the star attraction for the German spectators, with the home galleries hoping he can win the BMW International Open title for a second time, following his popular victory in 2008.
That brings a different kind of pressure to defending a Major Championship, but Kaymer is slowly getting used to the challenge.
“It is special when you play in your own country,” he said. “Obviously for me, the expectations are quite high from the fans, from the spectators and as well as from yourself because you want to perform a little bit better than other weeks. And that will be the fine line - the thing that you need to learn as good as possible to still perform and not be focused too much on if you want to perform well. You need to put that pressure away a little bit if you can.
“Every year is very different. Last year was a very tough one, I had just won the U.S. Open, and then you come here, and then you don't really have time to celebrate or let it really sink in, because this week is another highlight for you if you play in your own country. Obviously this year, I have not done well recently in America, so it's time that I perform as good as I can again.”
The former World Number One was joined in the Pro-Am by Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller, the World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner, which helped give Kaymer a fresh perspective.
“It was probably the best Pro Am I've ever played, because we really laughed,” he said. “I had tears in my eyes sometimes. They were very authentic people. They don't need to play any role, they are just the way they are, speaking German. Athletes, they talk different; we speak the same language, and it was a really fun day and a good start to the week.”
