General / Bill Elliott / 25 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

While the world salivated over Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer was quietly producing some fantastic golf which was underlined with a second Abu Dhabi win. Bill Elliott muses on the young German's brilliance

No sooner has the sand settled in Abu Dhabi than the European Tour has moved on to Qatar and the second leg of the so-called desert swing, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, defending champion Alvaro Quiros.

And once again there is a strong field for what is becoming an increasingly attractive trio of tournaments that climaxes in poor, old Dubai (and there's a phrase I never thought I'd write) next week. Seventeen players from the world top 50 are pitching up, nine of them from the top 20.

Even our old mate Charl Schwartzel is playing this week, having decided at the last minute to pull out of Abu Dhabi despite having won - or perhaps because - he had won twice in successive weeks. Quite why these guys feel they need a rest just when they playing out of their skins is beyond me. Still, there you are.

What I do know is that Schwartzel will need to be towards the very sharpest edges of his game if he is to prosper in any way this week. Certainly the way things went in Abu Dhabi suggests that 2010 is likely to embrace the same competitors who so impressed last year.

Martin Kaymer's victory endorses an obvious talent while Ian Poulter's runner-up spot says much that is positive about the pouting one and Rory McIlroy's third place shows (a) that he is the real deal and (b) that he needs to win again soon to underline this fact.

Kaymer, the new [5.1] Race to Dubai favourite, remains stoically German. Quiet, reserved and in control of his emotions, he is now worthy of comparison with the great Bernhard Langer. A year ago I chatted to Bernhard about this and that and eased into the conversation what he thought of his compatriot.

"He is an excellent golfer and he has the right attitude. I expect big things from him, " was his carefully considered reply. Only a fool would argue with this thought. Certainly, the smart money suggests that it might well have been Kaymer who won the inaugural Race to Dubai title in 2009 had he not damaged a foot while go-karting.

The damage from this accident was so bad that Kaymer had to have several screws inserted to hold the bones together and although he could now have these removed, he has decided to hold off on any operation until the 2010 season is completed. "I just don't want to take any chances in a Ryder Cup year, " he says.

So, to all his above attributes, we may now add the most important one of all...intelligence. If his game lacks flamboyance, it is embroidered with power and thoughtful planning. It is these strengths on top of that unemotional approach to the big weeks, that suggest Kaymer may be the next European to break through in the majors.

This latest win eases him up into the world top ten, his schedule is sensibly organised and his fitness regime ensures that he arrives everywhere ready to go. Fact is that while most critics have been salivating, understandably, over young McIlroy's climb towards the game's highest plateau, Kaymer has been perhaps even more impressive over the last 12 months. He is no longer one to watch, he is one to support more often than not and especially when the challenge is stern.

There are signs that this recommendation may soon be applied to the roly-poly Irishman Shane Lowry whose Irish Open win last year as an amateur earned him no cash but did offer entry into the pro ranks and the European Tour.

Lowry, predictably, struggled to produce his best golf thereafter in 2009, his game clouded as he came to terms with life as a touring pro and the endless delights of bland hotel rooms and even blander menus. It is worth noting, however, that he finished strongly to secure fourth place in Abu Dhabi. The big man may be about to pull on his Superman suit again soon. We'll see...

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