Kaiser Kaymer wins controversial USPGA Championship

Germany’s Martin Kaymer claimed his maiden major victory last night in what turned out to be an incredible finish at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

The steady man from Düsseldorf took the Wanamaker trophy after a play-off win over American Bubba Watson after the players finished on -11.

It should have been a three way play-off with Dustin Johnson fighting for the title but the American was dealt a cruel blow after he holed his putt on the 18th.

After driving into the crowd to the right of the 18th fairway, his ball ended up in what was deemed a bunker. As the crowds had been standing on it all day, Johnson didn’t realise and grounded his club, which in the end gave him a two shot penalty and he moved back down to -9.

It would have been much worse for Johnson had he made the putt for par which he thought would have given him the title but it wasn’t to be.

The Whistling Straits course on the shores of Lake Michigan has about 1,200 bunkers, many of which are little more than pieces of sandy waste ground.

According to the rules official all the players had been made aware that any areas around the man made links course are to be deemed as bunkers and they must act accordingly to normal USGA rules, Johnson just didn’t think:

“It never once crossed my mind” he said, “I just thought I was on a piece of dirt where the crowd had trampled it down.

Obviously I know I can't ground my club in a bunker but I should have looked at the rules sheet a little closer."

Before the extraordinary finish, no more than six players were in contention going down the stretch.

Morning leader Nick Watney was certainly not one of them. The un-fancied American fell away after a double bogey at the 1st and then finding Lake Michigan on the par 3, 7th, which ended his tournament eventually carding an 81.

Kaymer lead for a lot of the final day after birdies at the 2nd and the 4th he quickly caught the leaders.

He went out in front on his own with a birdie on ten, and apart from a bogey on the 15th he pared in to finish on.
Challengers behind him were there or thereabouts but just couldn’t muster a final push.

Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner and 47 year-old Steve Elkington were giving it their all but they just couldn’t find the birdies on what was a difficult windy day on the Straits.

Rory McIlory was certainly the one of the favourites, but the Northern Irishman couldn’t put away numerous birdie opportunities he gave himself and after a bogey at fifteen and then not getting a birdie and the par 5, 16th his challenge was all but over.

It was cavalier Bubba Watson who provided Kaymer with his biggest challenge. The big hitting, unique American had four birdies and an eagle on way to a final round 68.

After the dust had finally settled around Johnson, the two players headed to the 10th tee to start a three hole play-off.
Watson took the early advantage and made the most of his long hitting by nearly driving the 10th green which turned into a tap in birdie to the German’s par.

Kaymer came roaring back though on the tough par 3 17th. At 223 yards the hole had given away few birdies all day. A superb 5-iron to around 12 feet put the German back level as he rolled in the putt with consummate ease.

Both players found the right hand rough on last hole. Kaymer’s ball was buried so he had to wait and see what Watson did. With a much better lie, the American’s gamble didn’t pay off and his ball went into the water.

After witnessing that, the cool German chipped out and left himself 181 yards to what is one of the toughest approaches in major history.

After having to quit at the top of his back-swing at the first attempt because of camera’s flicking away, Kaymer went through his routine again and hit a stunning high seven iron draw to 15 foot.

The drama certainly wasn’t done there though. After pitching through the green with his fourth shot, Watson needed to hole his bunker shot to make Kaymer hole his putt. He so very nearly did as it rattled the flagstick and somehow stayed out.

With two putts for the championship, Kaymer finally ended what was an incredible day to claim his first major championship only five years after turning pro.

"In the regular round I felt a lot of pressure, especially on the last four or five holes," said Kaymer, who won the fifth of his previous European Tour titles earlier this year. "In the play-off I was very calm and confident. I just thought, 'don't make any stupid mistakes'.

"It was an amazing feeling on 18 with two putts to win - that felt pretty cool. I don't realise what has just happened - I just won my first major.”

Kaymer becomes the second German to win a major after Bernhard Langer won two Masters Titles in 1985 and 1993.

The win also cements his place on the European Ryder Cup team, which takes place at Celtic Manor between October 1-3.

The same can be said for Watson who will be in American colours at the Welsh venue and tried to take positives from the day.

"I made the Ryder Cup, so that's all I care about," said Watson.

On a day that will be remembered for the Dustin Johnson drama, it was Kaymer who shone the brightest and added another European to the list of major winners.