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Kaymer talks up Donald's Masters chances
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Kaymer talks up Donald's Masters chances

World Number One Martin Kaymer wishes he was left-handed like Phil Mickelson this week - but his tip for the Masters Tournament is Luke Donald.

Martin Kaymer

It was Donald, of course, who beat the German in the final of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play in Arizona in February.

Kaymer revealed on the eve of the first Major of 2011 at Augusta National: "His short game is unbelievable.

"Obviously he's not the longest, but he's very straight, so I think he has the best chances.

"I asked him how he became so good in short game, but he didn't answer. He said 'I don't know'."

Kaymer has missed the halfway cut in each of the three Masters Tournaments he has played and in a bid to change that has been trying to draw the ball more.

Three-time winner and defending champion Mickelson, of course, is able to go with a fade.

"My normal shape is left-to-right," commented Kaymer.

"If I could play the other way around I can fade it all day. Mickelson can and that helps - obviously the draw is more difficult than the fade."

Mickelson was asked about Kaymer's desire to change and, fully aware which of them is the current top-ranked player in the world, replied: "I would love Martin to play this tournament left-handed."

Kaymer's stated goal is to survive to the weekend and, although other players such as Ernie Els have questioned the need for the winner of golf's last Major to alter the way he plays, he stated: "I needed to change something.

"I've also prepared a little different than the last two years. I took two weeks off.

"You can play well if you hit the ball straight. You don't need to draw the ball, but I think my problem was always that I was not sharp enough in my short game."

On the fact that he still has the World Number One spot coming into the event - Lee Westwood missed the chance to regain it last week - he added: "I wouldn't say it's important, but it's a great feeling.

"After the World Golf Championships event in Arizona when I became number one I thought it would be quite nice to tee it up in Augusta as the number one."

He is still not that well-known in the United States, but things have at least improved.

"I think it was my manager who came up to me two years ago. He was walking with me up the first hole and there were a bunch of people next to the first green and they said 'Who is that guy?'

"I was ranked sixth in the world, but now I'm number one and maybe they know me."

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