Kaymer closing in on win at last
MARTIN KAYMER moved into a share of the lead heading into the final round of the Austrian Open – and then declared it was “just a matter of time” before he ended his long winless run.
The world No.99 was top of the global rankings this time 10 years ago.
But the German, 36, has not tasted victory since winning a second major championship at the US Open in 2014.
Kaymer fired a 69 on day three yesterday to share the summit on nine under with Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.
He is aiming for a place in Padraig Harrington’s European Ryder Cup team and, while he does not think a win today would hugely aid that cause, he was delighted to be in contention at the right end of the leaderboard.
“It doesn’t really matter what happens, if you win or not it’s nice to be in that position, to have an opportunity to win a golf tournament,” he said.
“Last year I had a couple of chances which I didn’t use. It’s only April, there are so many tournaments to play so I don’t think it will make a huge difference whoever wins to making the Ryder Cup team.
“It’s just nice for your belief that you can win again. For me that’s been a while.”
Kaymer made five birdies and two bogeys in his round, the highlight being a very long putt on the 16th to bounce back after a disappointing three-putt on the previous hole.
Overnight leader Canizares had led by three after making four birdies in a row from the third but he would pick up only two more shots – along with two double-bogeys – to sign for a 70.
Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer was at eight under, a shot clear of American John Catlin and two ahead of England’s Daniel Gavins.
Scot Craig Howie was eight shots off the lead along with Northern Ireland’s Cormac Sharvin.