Martin Kaymer is relishing the fierce challenge provided by one of Europe’s most iconic courses this week after the two-time Major winner received a late invite for the Andalucia Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation.
The German called upon his good friend, three-time Ryder Cup teammate and tournament host Garcia for a late invite and was added to the field for Real Club Valderrama just last week.
Having struggled for form this year, Kaymer is hoping a return to a course which he thoroughly enjoys playing – finishing in a tie for sixth last year – can give him a boost heading into the final stretch of the 2017 campaign.
“This is a very iconic place for the European Tour in Spain,” said the 32 year old. “I called up Sergio last week very spontaneously to get in because I hadn’t entered. I was due to be playing in Tokyo but that was cancelled last week so I said to Sergio, if you have an invite left I would love to play.
“Hosting an event like this is a real commitment to your country, to the European Tour – which really gains from players like Sergio hosting – and also for the local region. Ideally you would like to playing at a course near where the player is from but obviously it’s difficult sometimes to get the right golf course.
“I really enjoy playing Valderrama. You have to enjoy playing this kind of golf course. It doesn’t really let you breathe, every single shot is very important and you have to place the ball so well. It’s one of those ones where you have to be really focussed from the first to last shot. I really enjoy that because it’s not a putting competition or a birdie fest, you really have to play well.”
Alvaro Quiros is local to the area, living in nearby Guadiaro, and although he has a win under his belt this season – at the Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily – he has not replicated that form consistently and has made just one cut since that victory in May.
With the home support spurring him on this week, the seven-time European Tour winner will also be hoping Real Club Valderrama can provide the backdrop for a late-season revival.
“Obviously it’s a very special week for everyone but definitely even more special for me because this is home,” said the 34 year old. “It would be ideal to have more tournaments in Spain and this is the only one we have but we are very pleased to be back at Valderrama.
“There is no doubt that when you’re talking about Sergio, you’re talking about one of the best players in the world. That’s nothing new, everybody knows it and especially if you are Spanish.
“It’s a great field and obviously we must talk about Jon Rahm too, so there are great names here and hopefully there will be a lot of support from the locals.”
