Martin Kaymer is the best German golfer of his generation, thanks to a pair of major victories in his 23 worldwide victories.
Born in Dusseldorf shortly after Christmas in 1984, it would be a decade before Kaymer started playing the game of golf. He had some amateur success, and even claimed his first pro victory while he was still an amateur – doing so at the Central German Classic on the EPD Tour in 2005. He would go on to win five times on the tour the year after, picking up the Order of Merit crown in the process.
After a couple of wins on the Challenge Tour, and sealing the Rookie of the Year award on the European Tour (now DP World Tour), Kaymer then set his sights on winning big events. He claimed victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship three times in four years, along with wins at the Scottish Open and the Open de France.
His first major moment came in 2010, as he got the better of Bubba Watson in a three-hole aggregate playoff to win the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits – an event arguably known more for Dustin Johnson’s penalty after grounding his club in what he thought was a waste area. Four years later, Kaymer strolled to victory at the US Open, winning the tournament by eight shots, and being just one of three players to finish under par.
And of course, let’s not forget the fact he holed THAT putt to get Team Europe to the magical 14-point mark, completing the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ at the 2012 Ryder Cup. That was one of four appearances for the German in the team competition, all of which came in a six-year stint from 2010 to 2016, with Team Europe winning three of those editions.
Martin Kaymer | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Martin Kaymer
Born: December 28, 1984
Nationality: Germany
Residence: Mettman, Germany / Scottsdale, Arizona / United States
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Career
Turned Pro: 2005
Professional Wins: 23
Highest World Ranking: 1 – February 27, 2011
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – T16 (2017)
– PGA Championship – WON (2010)
– US Open – WON (2014)
– Open Championship – T7 (2010)
Professional Wins – 23
2005 (1) – Central German Classic
2006 (7) – Friedberg Classic, Habsburg Classic, Coburg Brose Open, Gut Winterbrock Classic, Vodafone Challenge, Hockenberg Classic, Open des Volcans – Challenge de France
2007 (1) – HDI Gerling German PGA Championship
2008 (2) – Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, BMW International Open
2009 (2) – Open de France Alstom, Barclays Scottish Open
2010 (4) – Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, PGA Championship, KLM Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
2011 (2) – Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, WGC-HSBC Champions
2012 (1) – Nedbank Golf CHallenge
2014 (3) – Players Championship, US Open, PGA Grand Slam of Golf
Achievements and Awards
EPD Tour Order of Merit Winner – 2006
Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year – 2007
European Tour Race to Dubai Winner – 2010
European Tour Golfer of the Year – 2010
European Tour Players’ Player of the Year – 2010
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Martin Kaymer
When and where was Martin Kaymer born?
Martin Kaymer was born in the German city of Dusseldorf in December 1984. Football and gymnastics were his first sports, only taking up golf properly at the age of 10.
When did Martin Kaymer turn professional?
Martin Kaymer turned professional in 2005, having been a +5 handicap at his home club. He would go on to have great success on the EPD Tour, before then graduating to the Challenge Tour and then the European Tour.
How many major titles has Martin Kaymer won?
As of 2025, Kaymer is a two-time major champion, with both wins coming in the United States. The first saw him down Bubba Watson in a playoff to win the 2010 PGA Championship, before then strolling to victory at the US Open four years later. He has a total of 23 worldwide victories, including 11 on the DP World Tour.
Who is Martin Kaymer dating/married to?
Martin Kaymer is married to Irene Scholz. Having met in Germany, the pair got married in 2022, shortly after welcoming son Sam into the world.
Did You Know?
First German to Take the European Tour ROTY Crown
2007 saw Kaymer take to the European Tour stage for the first time. Thanks to a number of top ten finishes, he was crowned Rookie of the Year. In doing so, he became the first German to lift the Sir Harry Vardon Trophy.
From Majors To Nothing
After winning the 2014 US Open, Kaymer was on top of the world. Not many would have guessed that it would be his last victory. Eleven years on, the German is still yet to win another tour-sanctioned event.
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