Kaymer flying under radar at British Open

Published Jul. 13, 2011 7:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

Although he is the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, Martin Kaymer has barely caused a ripple in the buildup to the British Open.

The rise of Rory McIlroy is putting most players in the shade, and Kaymer is among them, flying well below the radar notably because of his failure to capture a tournament victory since cruising to an eight-shot win in Abu Dhabi in January.

However, the 26-year-old German, who is the current PGA Championship champion and a former No. 1, said Wednesday his recent record isn't stopping him from feeling bullish heading into the tournament at Royal St. George's.

''The good thing about the British Open is you don't have to play beautiful golf - you just have to score well,'' said Kaymer. ''The British Open is so different than all the other tournaments and that makes it very special and new.''

In his fourth appearance at the British Open, Kaymer has enlisted the help of compatriot Bernhard Langer, who finished second at Royal St. George's in 1981 and joint third in 1985.

They were two of a number of near misses for the former Europe Ryder Cup captain, whose major wins both came at the Masters, in 1985 and '93.

''Yesterday, we talked a little bit about his finishes here ... and then we talked about the golf course, what has changed and obviously about the upcoming weeks,'' Kaymer said. ''Of course, Bernhard was and still is a big inspiration.''

Langer and Kaymer played nine holes together in practice on Tuesday.

''I didn't like the way he was swinging, to tell you the truth. But sometimes in practice, you lose your focus. It can happen to all of us on a Tuesday,'' Langer told The Associated Press. ''But he's got the game and he's got a chance to win.''

As now is McIlroy, whose eight-shot victory at the U.S. Open at Congressional last month provided a further fillip to a European game that is riding the crest of a wave at the moment.

Kaymer's U.S. PGA victory in a playoff at Whistling Straits gave that European charge more momentum in August, but he knows he needs to step up another level to match the current acheivements of McIlroy.

''I was watching the back nine when Rory played (his last round at Congressional) and the way he played made me feel like I need to practice more,'' Kaymer said.

''I need to go back to the driving range, I need to hit more balls, need to become a better player because he played that golf course in almost a perfect way. It motivates and inspires you.''

Kaymer will play with defending champion Louis Oosthuizen and sixth-ranked Phil Mickelson in the opening two rounds.