Martin Kaymer believes he is close to getting back to his world-dominating best after finishing in a tie for fifth at the Turkish Airlines Open.
The German won the US PGA Championship and the Race to Dubai in 2010 en route to moving to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking early in 2011.
He claimed the vital point as Europe completed the Miracle at Medinah in 2012 and clinched a second Major Championship at the US Open in 2014 but is winless since and has fallen to World Number 163.
He showed glimpses of his old form at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort as he posted four rounds in the 60s with just two bogeys, and he believes his long game is now better than it was when he was on top of the world.
“Playing-wise, for sure,” he said. “Putting-wise, I need to work on it. 2010 and 2011 I putted really, really well. I know what I need to do and what I need to work on in the winter time. Maintain the long game, work on the short game and then we should be fine.
“I played very well, I made two bogeys all week which is very nice, I made a few good par-saves during those four rounds. Could have been a few more putts here and there but in general I didn't miss many fairways or greens.
“I needed a good finish to get into Dubai, hopefully that was enough. I'm really looking forward to play next week because I'm very close.”
Spaniard Adrian Otaegui finished a shot ahead of Kaymer at 15 under as he carded a closing bogey-free 65 and he credited a new putting grip as the key to his success.
“I changed my putting grip and that gave me a little bit more feeling and rhythm, so I putted really, really good today,” he said.
“I played really solid all week. I'm very happy with the way I played all week and I'm good with the way I finished.”
Belgian Thomas Detry matched Otaegui with a bogey-free 65 to finish in a tie for third as he made his first appearance since the Sky Sports British Masters.
“I think we're getting closer so very good, very happy,” he said.
