Martin Kaymer is targeting a strong finish to the season after making an encouraging start at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The two-time Major Championship winner is four shots off the lead held by Jimmy Mullen, Paul Dunne and Kristoffer Broberg but, having started on the tougher lay-out at Carnoustie, the German is well positioned after the first day.
The 30 year old has not won since claiming the US Open at Pinehurst last year but just missed out in a play-off to Rikard Karlberg at the 72° OPEN D'ITALIA presented by DAMIANI a fortnight ago and is aiming for a big finish to the season.
"I would love to finish as high as possible in the Race to Dubai," said the 11-time European Tour winner who currently sits 12th in the standings.
"I'm playing better now. The second places, 10th, 12th, I don't really care. I would love to pick up a win on the way home.
"There are big tournaments coming up. I'm really looking forward to it because if you haven't won an event you are still hungry."
Kaymer's 68 was the joint-lowest round of the day at Carnoustie and he was satisfied with his day's work.
"I played good, not great, but I played okay," he said.
"I gave myself okay chances and made a couple of good putts, especially on the back nine.
"I made three bogeys: one was okay, the one that I made on seven, then the bogeys on 15 and 18, they shouldn't really happen.
"Overall, four under par at Carnoustie is never really bad."
The German's playing partner in the Pro-Am format of the tournament is his father, who has another of his sons caddying for him, and Kaymer is enjoying the unique experience that the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship provides.
"It's funny when they argue about shots," he said.
"If we can spend the week together as a family it is very rare these days.
"We can do what we love to do, we can all do it together and if we have weather like this it's very special and it's very nice to do."
Broberg is also enjoying his week so far after opening with an impressive 64 at St Andrews.
The Swede's card was unblemished as he recorded eight birdies on the course which he regards as his weakest of the three in play.
"I played really well from tee to green today," he said. "I made almost every birdie putt I had today, although most of them were pretty close, so it was one of those days where you just enjoy it.
"I just love playing links golf, although I have to admit that I prefer Carnoustie and Kingsbarns because I don't know the lines around the Old Course as well as I do the others."
