German · Düsseldorf, West Germany · Born 28 December 1984Martin Kaymer is a German professional golfer who won two major championships and reached World No. 1, and is remembered for holing the winning putt in the 'Miracle at Medinah' at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Martin Kaymer's putt against Steve Stricker on the 18th green at Medinah in 2012 completed the most famous comeback in Ryder Cup history, but two years before that defining moment he had already become the first German to win a major, defeating Bubba Watson in a playoff at the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. After winning the European Tour's Rookie of the Year award and claiming his first title at the 2008 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, he built rapidly toward the top of the game. Kaymer's breakthrough major came at the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, where he defeated Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff to become the first German to win a major championship. That victory, along with winning that year's Race to Dubai, propelled him to the World No. 1 ranking in February 2011 — becoming only the second German, after Bernhard Langer, to top the rankings — a position he held for eight weeks. Kaymer's most iconic moment came at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, where, with Europe trailing 10-6 heading into the final day's singles, he holed the decisive putt against Steve Stricker to seal the point that completed one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history, dubbed the 'Miracle at Medinah.' He added a second major at the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, winning by eight strokes in a wire-to-wire performance, and later that year won The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Kaymer represented Europe in four Ryder Cups between 2010 and 2016, and joined the LIV Golf League in the 2020s, continuing to compete as a playing captain.
Winning two major championships and holing the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup's 'Miracle at Medinah'
How They Played
Calm, precise ball-striker renowned for composure under pressure
Lasting Impact
Germany's most successful golfer after Bernhard Langer, having reached World No. 1 and delivered one of the Ryder Cup's most iconic moments
Career Honours
- 2x major champion (2010 PGA Championship, 2014 U.S. Open)
- World No. 1 (2011)
- 3x Ryder Cup winner (2010, 2012, 2014)
- European Tour Race to Dubai winner (2010)
- First German to win a major championship
German Athletes