Kaymer, McDowell make golfing history

BERLIN - Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell have made golfing history by becoming the first joint winners of the Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award, the organisers said.

The panel of judges - comprising members of the golf media - could not separate the two golfers and for the first time since the award started in 1985, it was shared.

Kaymer became the second German after Bernhard Langer to win the prestigious award. He managed four wins on the European Tour, including three tournaments in a row, which included a victory in the PGA Championship for his first major.

The 25-year-old finished first in the Race to Dubai, winning 4,461,011 euros (5,946,220 dollars).

He was also a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team, winning 2.5 points from his four matches.

In a statement issued by the European Tour Tuesday, Kaymer described the year as a truly great one.

“Winning this award is the perfect ending. It is recognition for my performances in 2010 and to be voted for by the golfing media, the people who watch and report on our sport throughout the year, makes me feel very proud.

“Graeme McDowell and I had pretty much the same level of success this season in terms of the majors and on the European Tour and he deserves this recognition as much as I do.

“His winning match in the Ryder Cup was huge for all of Europe and for both of us to now make history in terms of sharing this award for the first time, represents a very proud moment for both our families and also shows how strong European golf is right now.”

The 31-year-old Northern Irish golfer McDowell won three times on the European Tour and also secured the winning point in the Ryder Cup and added his first major championship by taking the US Open.

McDowell finished second behind Kaymer in the Race to Dubai.

He said that he was humbled to win the award. “It is the icing on the cake on what has been a very special year for myself,” Martin and everyone involved in European golf.

“I achieved many of my dreams this season and feel fortunate to have enjoyed some very special moments. However, the highlight of the year for me was being a part of the winning European Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.

“There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of the Ryder Cup and the experience of playing for both your team-mates and the European fans under the most extreme pressure. I hope that I am lucky enough to play in many more successful teams in the future.”