Martin Kaymer would be eager to bend the ear of fellow multiple Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth as he looks to end his win drought at the 2021 Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.
The German last tasted victory when he claimed his second Major at the 2014 U.S. Open but has had a number of near misses since, including when he recently finished third at the Austrian Golf Open.
McIlroy won for the first time in 19 months in the US PGA Tour's Wells Fargo Championship on Sunday, while Spieth’s victory in last month’s Valero Texas Open was his first since the 2017 Open Championship.
Kaymer would love to make a similar return to the winner's circle at The Belfry this week, and would have no qualms in taking advice from his fellow former World Number Ones.
“I think it’s always interesting (and) it would be nice to talk to them, but in a really honest way,” he said.
“What they have been through, what did it take, was it a mental thing, a technical thing, expectations, whatever it was.
“You always need to respect guys who have huge expectations and can’t live up to them every single time they play, which is very normal.
“To then come back in their way, not stressing about others, it’s interesting to see and understand how they got there - everybody can learn from that, not just as a golfer.”
Kaymer finished one shot out of a play-off when the ISPS HANDA UK Championship was played here last season, and then lost out by one shot to John Catlin at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters the following week.
The 36-year-old admits The Belfry is "a golf course where you'd like to win one time in your career" and is hopeful recent experiences can help him do that this week.
They are big goals; Ryder Cup teams I’d like to make, put myself in Major Championships and having a chance to win on Sundays, winning on iconic courses like this week here
"You always reflect if you win or lose," he said. "I always reflect on why it happened in both cases.
"Last year I had a couple of mistakes on the 17th hole - the tee shot was a mistake, or a mis-shot. Then not making the up-and-down from just off the green was another hiccup. Other than that I played a really good tournament, so I need to focus on those things.
"Valderrama the week after was very similar, just the last few holes where I didn’t convert the chances I had.
"Then three weeks ago in Austria, very similar. I had a fairly poor start and fought back, I need to focus on those things, that I fought back or had a good start.
"It’s a weird thing in golf but patience is huge. I’m not stressing too much, I’ll just wait until it happens. I’ve waited since I’ve won, so I can wait until it happens again."
And when that win does come, Kaymer believes it can be a springboard to achieving great things on the game's biggest stages once more.
“Since corona happened, I’ve spent a lot of time at home and think about what I really want to achieve in my career,” he added.
“They are big goals; Ryder Cup teams I’d like to make, put myself in Major Championships and having a chance to win on Sundays, winning on iconic courses like this week here.
“There are goals I’d like to achieve in my career and that keeps you motivated. I know I can do it. I know I’m good enough. I’ve proved it to myself and patience is just something I think you need to learn as a professional golfer.
“I have needed a lot of patience over the last few years and I actually enjoy it - it’s a good challenge to have.”
