Kaymer’s opening 66 was inspired by 2014 triumph

Martin Kaymer revealed how watching the highlights of his US Open triumph inspired a superb opening round in the US PGA Championship at Harding Park.

Germany’s Kaymer has not tasted victory since claiming his second major title in runaway fashion at Pinehurst in 2014 and had only played one event – where he missed the cut – since early March due to the coronavirus lockdown.

However, the 35-yearold Ryder Cup star defied the odds to card an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in an opening four-under-par 66 in San Francisco.

“Expectations were very low, to be honest, because I didn’t really know where my game was at,” said Kaymer, who triumphed in the 2010 US PGA at Whistling Straits.

“Obviously I knew I was playing OK, but on a golf course like this, OK play doesn’t really get you far.

“On the way home (on Wednesday) I didn’t feel that good. I was not that happy for some reason. And then I thought I needed to lift my spirits a little bit. And I went on YouTube and I found that video, I think it’s an hour and 45 minutes or so, of us playing the back nine at the US Open from 2014.

“I was trying to get some kind of positivity in my game because it hasn’t been much recently because of no play.

“But definitely that video helped me to believe that my putting was good enough; that my ball-striking was good enough, even though it’s a few years back, but it’s always nice to remember those moments and feel the same that you felt that day.

“I know you shouldn’t live in the past, but if the past can help you in the present moment, I’ll take it.”

Martin Kaymer