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Kaymer firmly back in contention as Race hots up
28 October 2009
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Martin Kaymer’s stunning return to action at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar last week threw The Race to Dubai wide open once again and ensured a thrilling final few weeks of the season.
The German showed no ill effects of six weeks out with a broken foot suffered in a go-karting accident, finishing one shot behind winner Michael Jonzon to claim €173,710 in prize money and increase the pressure on Race to Dubai Rankings leader Lee Westwood. Kaymer slipped from first to third during his absence, but leapfrogged Rory McIlroy into second place and is now less than €100,000 behind.
McIlroy’s spell in top spot only lasted a week before Westwood’s victory at the Portugal Masers propelled him into pole position, but the Northern Irishman is still very much in contention for the Harry Vardon Trophy at little more than €200,000 off the lead.
Englishman Paul Casey has slipped from first to fourth and €276,790 behind Westwood as a result of his absence through injury but should not be written off as a win in any of the last few events could swing the balance in his favour. The same applies for Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who is fifth and could cause an upset despite playing in 13 fewer events than Westwood.
With five tournaments – the Barclays Singapore Open, Volvo World Match Play Championship, HSBC Champions, Hong Kong Open, JBWere Masters – remaining until the season reaches its climax at the Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World, the competition is red hot as players jostle for position.
The top 60 players on The Race to Dubai Rankings will qualify for the inaugural event on the Greg Norman-designed Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, and the battle to be part of such a lucrative tournament is equally intense further down the money list.
Michael Jonzon’s season transformed when he went from a player struggling to keep his European Tour card to a contender for the Dubai World Championship with victory last weekend. He moved from 158th to 65th after pipping Kaymer in Spain. “I’m just so thrilled to have a playing status for next year,” said Jonzon. “It’s been desperate for me and I am kind of speechless at the moment. It’s unbelievable.”
Justin Rose, The European Tour Order of Merit winner in 2007, is currently 50th and should just make the cut but it is a closer call for Darren Clarke at 59th, while former World Number Three Adam Scott needs a strong finish to improve on his 68th position. Christian Cévaër and Ricardo Gonzalez, both European Tour winners this season, are 66th and 70th respectively.
