DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN

July 1, 2021

Martin Kaymer

Mount Juliet Estate

Quick Quotes

Q. Opening round of 5-under par 67, give us your assessment of your play today, please?

MARTIN KAYMER: Had a really solid start with 5-under after ten holes and missed my tee shot on 2. Still a bogey, which was fine. Then I struggled a little bit on the back nine, so the front nine of the golf course. Had a couple good chances coming in. Unfortunately missed a 4-footer on the last for 6-under would have been a really good score today. 5-under is fine, good. Playing good golf.

But just right now after the round, if you miss that putt, obviously I'm a little bit disappointed.

Q. You closed out last week with a brilliant ten birdies, 64. How big was that for your confidence and your belief?

MARTIN KAYMER: The whole week it was huge for me because I was playing really consistent golf all week and I was just waiting for the one day where you make a few putts on that Sunday that obviously was a really nice putting day for me even though I played good. It gives you the last little piece that you need in order to compete and put yourself in contention, and then to get over the line. I was close for the last year and a half but I didn't really feel like I could actually do it because my game was not consistent enough but now my game is consistent enough.

Q. Open spots up for grabs. How much are they in the back of your cut?

MARTIN KAYMER: Yeah, that's the main goal this week. Obviously playing good, but the main goal is to get into the British Open. It's the only tournament that was always one of my dreams when I was a kid. I wanted to win this event but it's hard to win if you don't play.