Kaymer has his feet on the ground

Singapore

HIS rise to the top of the golfing world was fast and phenomenal. His fall from the perch was just as quick.

Former world No 1 golfer Martin Kaymer says he is "circumspect" when looking back on the two dramatic events in his career.

"Chasing a dream is exciting, but once you get there, staying there is difficult," he said.

His feet are now firmly on the ground, after a sensational nine-hole social round at Singapore Island Country Club's Island course last week.

On a whirlwind day trip to Singapore as part of his ambassadorial role for his sponsor Hugo Boss, Kaymer - who held the No 1 ranking for eight weeks in 2011 - added: "I believe I got up there too quickly, just six years after turning pro."

It was early in his professional career, and he had played a 13-under 59 (an eagle and 12 birdies in his card) at the Habsburg Classic.

He was 25, and the feat led to his struggle to understand the lofty position and the hero-worship that came with it. Suddenly, the German was thrust into the limelight and attention was drawn to everything he did.

"It was a different world. I had always been under the radar. And then the media kept writing things about me. It was not easy to handle this situation. With the adulation came the pressure and challenges."

He won two Majors - the PGA Championship in 2010 and the US Open in 2014 - but his form dipped after that, mainly "because of a swing change I made".

He is now languishing at No 157 in the world rankings.

But Kaymer, who played an eagle and five birdies in his social round last Thursday while entertaining groups of guests, takes it all in his stride.

"I'm working my way back. I'm feeling good, practising hard and preparing for some tournaments in the Middle East, South Africa and Australia," he said.

He is managed by his brother Philip; the partnership is another reason why he sees sunshine on the horizon.

On missing out on the recent Ryder Cup where Europe thrashed the US, Kaymer, who holed a putt on the 18th hole on the final day of the event in 2012, said: "The Ryder Cup is a team event, so if you are not up to it, it's best to stay out or you could let down your teammates."

He hopes to be back at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2020, the venue in which he won his first Major (the PGA Championship in 2010) - for sentimental reasons.

"If I'm not up to it, I would rather stay out," he said, coming across as level-headed, serious about his golf and a workaholic on the driving range.

These qualities will go a long way to put the 33-year-old back in the global spotlight - more likely sooner than later.