Sport

Kaymer hopes to find form

EUROPEAN TOUR: MARTIN KAYMER is hoping to return to form in the KLM Open at Hilversum this week.

Thu Sept 06 2012 - 01:00

EUROPEAN TOUR:MARTIN KAYMER is hoping to return to form in the KLM Open at Hilversum this week.

The 27-year-old won the tournament two years ago during a purple patch which saw the German win four successive events.

Kaymer won the USPGA Championship and was part of Europe’s successful Ryder Cup team in 2010 and his success in Holland came sandwiched in between.

His form has slipped since then but he believes he is close to returning to his full potential after making subtle changes to his game. “Two years ago it was a period of time when I played incredibly well,” he said. “I played four events and I won them all in a row, with the third being the Ryder Cup.

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“It was a really, really good time where you don’t think about anything.

“I have changed a few things in my swing and so you adapt a little and play a little more controlled, and not as free. So you lose a bit of distance as well. I would never say that was a wrong decision though, because I grew as a player.”

Dutchman Joost Luiten, whose solitary win on the European Tour came at the Iskandar Johor Open last November, is relishing performing in front of a home crowd at Hilversum. “It’s always a week we look forward to as Dutch players,” he said.Luiten (26) finished sixth in the KLM Open last year and is hoping for another good performance this time around.

Irish players competing this weekend are: Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Gareth Maybin, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Simon Thornton.

KLM OPEN

Course: Hilversumsche GC, Hilversum, Netherlands.

Prize money:€1.8 million (€300,000 to the winner).

Length: 6,906 yards. Par: 70.

Field: 156.

The layout: A parkland course that has heavily-contoured tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers. Short course with some fiddly holes including the 125-yard fifth which is bound to provide some fun for the competitors.

Last year: Simon Dyson won his third KLM Open with a one-shot win over David Lynn.

Type of player suited to challenge: Straightest collection of holes on the European Tour so precision is essential.

Key attribute: Accuracy.

Weather forecast: Nice and warm.

On TV:Sky Sports 1 from 10.30am today.