Munich. Martin Kaymer looks back on his BMW win in 2008 and
says he is hoping for a happy homecoming.
You won here in 2008 and remain the only German winner so far.
What memories do you have of that week?
Martin Kaymer: “It was a very emotional win for me.
You had all the spectators and the German flags and I was leading the
tournament by five or six shots – and then it came down to a play-off.
So there were great memories in the end. Winning in your home country,
we all know how difficult it is. That was only my second European Tour
win in only my second season on Tour.”
Are you looking forward to this week?
Kaymer: “Yes. It’s been always a good week for me,
especially playing in front of a home crowd, which is very rare these
days. When you’re an American on the PGA Tour, you have it every week.
As a European, it happens once or twice a year.”
What does this tournament mean to you and for German golf?
Kaymer: “Well, I think it’s over 25 years that the BMW International
Open has been on The European Tour schedule. It’s an amazing
achievement to have that much commitment from one company. As a
German, I’m very proud that we have strong companies interested in
sport and golf. It’s nice to come back to a very family-orientated
tournament.”
As a home player what impact does it have to have these
massive crowds behind you?
Kaymer: “Yeah, they probably put all the towels out
already at 6.30 in the morning to get a seat! It’s good support and
you have to find a way to use it in a very positive way. At the
beginning of my career it added a little bit more pressure because you
want to do well. Now I’ve got used to it a little bit more and I can
use it to my advantage.”
How is the course playing this week?
Kaymer: “I think the winning score will be fairly low
because there is very little rough and the greens are fairly soft. I
think you need to shoot at least four-under par every round to have a
chance on Sunday.”