Kaymer gets July Accolade

Germany’s Martin Kaymer has been named The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for July following a sensational month when he claimed successive titles on The European Tour International Schedule. Kaymer, who will receive a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne along with an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievement, captured both the Open de France ALSTOM at Le Golf National and The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in a magical two week spell where his winnings alone in that period amounted to €1,246,000. The performances helped move the 24 year old from Düsseldorf to second place in The Race to Dubai and to a career-high position of 11th on the Official World Golf Ranking. “It is not often that players win two tournaments in a row on Tour so that was definitely something special for me,” said Kaymer, who also won the award in January 2008 following his maiden Tour victory in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. “Obviously, now to be recognised with this award for my achievement is a great honour. “I had some good chances to win on Tour again since last year but hadn’t taken them, so to come through the way I did in France was excellent. Then to win in Scotland, the home of golf, was extra special. I really enjoyed that week and the way that the fans got behind me there was amazing.” In addition to Kaymer’s achievement, there were other performances of note by European Tour Members in July recognised by the voting panel. Ricardo Gonzalez became the first Argentine golfer to win the SAS Masters when he triumphed at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club, while Sweden’s Oskar Henningsson, the winner of the 2008 Qualifying School, claimed his maiden European Tour title in the Moravia Silesia Open presented by ALO Diamonds. Also commended were Australia’s Nathan Green who won the RBC Canadian Open on the US PGA Tour, while Lee Westwood’s excellent July saw him pipped by Kaymer in a play-off in France before finishing tied eighth at Loch Lomond and tied third in The Open Championship at Turnberry. Kaymer, however, was the unanimous choice of the voting panel which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers in addition to commentators from radio and television. The German joins Rory McIlroy (January), Geoff Ogilvy (February), Søren Kjeldsen (March), Angel Cabrera (April), Shane Lowry (May) and Nick Dougherty (June) as a winner of The 2009 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month Award. The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year will be selected following the Dubai World Championship at the Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, from November 19-22, 2009, where the winner of The Race to Dubai will be confirmed.