Home favourite Martin Kaymer can’t wait to play in front of spectators again as he tees it up at the Porsche European Open for the first time since 2016.
The two-time Major Champion and former World Number One is one of a number of German players teeing it up in Hamburg looking forward to receiving home support as a general admission spectators will be in attendance at a European Tour event on European soil for the first time since October 2019.
The 36-year-old is also hoping to continue his strong form on Continental Europe which has recently yielded a runner-up finish at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a share of fifth at the Italian Open and third at the Austrian Golf Open in April.
“It’s nice to play in front of people again in Europe,” said Kaymer. “It’s one of the first tournament where we can play in front of spectators and fans, and I’m glad it’s happening in Germany – that’s really cool.
“I have a few friends here in Hamburg and I gave them tickets to come out on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They are excited to watch live golf again. We are excited about having a little bit of support. I was very happy to hear the news.
“My brother is here as my caddie, I have my girlfriend here with me. It’s nice having those people who care about you and who support you. Playing in your home country always adds expectations for yourself, because you always want to perform a little better when you’re at home.”
A maximum of 2,000 spectators will be in attendance each day after local authorities gave the go-ahead for the event to be a model project. Those fans will line the fairways of the demanding Porsche Nord Course, a layout which Kaymer believes will pose a tough test over three rounds.
The Porsche European Open will be played over 54 holes, from Saturday to Monday, due to a late change in Covid regulations by the German government which placed the United Kingdom on its travel ‘red list’.
“I can’t see the winning score being very low,” said Kaymer. “It depends a lot on the wind, the greens are very tricky with a lot of slopes and undulations. I don’t see 20 or 25 under par like we’ve seen on the European Tour recently.
“The first round will feel similar to a 72-hole event. Once Sunday comes, the second round, you’ll try and position yourself like you usually would on a Saturday. It’s a marathon that we usually play, this week it’s a half marathon. You need to be in fourth or fifth gear a little earlier.”
