SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Bernhard Langer won two straight Champions Tour majors and now Martin Kaymer has won the PGA Championship. Not a bad summer for German golf.
“We’ve been friends for a number of years,” Langer said of Kaymer by phone from his home in Boca Raton, Fla. “Obviously I was pulling for him. I think a lot of him and I’ve told him that. He’s one of the bright stars.”
Interestingly, when Langer describes Kaymer’s strengths, he could well be describing his own.
“He has a great golf swing,” said the two-time Masters champion. “But more than that, he has a great head on his shoulders. He has a much older head than his age might let you know.”
Kaymer is just 25.
“Martin’s aggressive, too, but not blindly aggressive,” Langer continued. “He doesn’t force things, doesn’t get too upset and won’t let a bogey ruin his day. He’s the total package.”
Two years ago Kaymer was on his way to making Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team but his game understandably faltered when his mother passed away. Still, Faldo invited him to Valhalla, to observe and soak up the atmosphere.
It’s been his goal ever since. In October, he’ll be in Wales, perhaps playing alongside Germany’s first and greatest player.
“If asked I would probably play,” Langer said.
