Martin Kaymer achieved his best European Tour result for three years on home soil at the BMW International Open and instantly turned his focus to qualifying for the Ryder Cup Team.
The German finished in a tie for second after a closing 68 at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof, his best result since the 2015 Italian Open when he lost in a play-off to Rikard Karlberg.
But for a thinned second over the back of the 17th green on Sunday, the two-time Major winner could have been looking at his first win since the 2014 US Open, and he was happy that his game was trending in the right direction.
“A lot of positives,” he said. “I think I putted really, really well - especially today - gave myself a lot of chances. Mentally I stayed in it very well, didn't rush anything, was quite calm on the golf course. I really enjoyed playing the last two days.”
Next up for the 33 year old is three consecutive Rolex Series events and the Open Championship, bringing the chance to rack up valuable points for the biennial spectacular against the United States in September.
Kaymer has played in the last four Ryder Cups - holing the winning putt at Medinah in 2012 - and he is desperate to make it five in a row as Europe attempt to win back the trophy at Le Golf National.
“I don't think I need to prove myself that I'm good enough for the team,” he said. “I've done it in the past that I'm good enough but right now my results don't really show what I'm capable of and I have only two months' time.
“There's a little bit of pressure on it because it's a golf course that I really enjoy, especially playing in France. Every year, I really enjoying playing for the people there. It's one of the best golf courses that we play.
“So I will put everything into the next couple of months that I have. I'm going to play a lot, I play all the Rolex Series events just to gain points. I would hate to miss out but at the end of the day, you need to be realistic. If 12 other guys are better than me, then they should go ahead and try to get the trophy back.”
Mikko Korhonen finished alongside Kaymer at nine under after a closing 67, continuing the sort of form that saw him win the Shot Clock Masters just two weeks agao.
“A great day,” said the Finn. “Especially the back nine, I was able to birdie a couple of holes in the end. I had a long chance on 18 to tie the lead but the second shot wasn't good enough."
