The German professional golfer Martin Kaymer, 30, was born in Düsseldorf in what was then West Germany. He began playing golf at the age of 10 and turned professional in 2005, aged 21. He is a member of the European Tour. In February 2011, Kaymer became the No 1 ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking – taking the title from Tiger Woods – but lost the title to Lee Westwood eight weeks later. At the time of going to press, Kaymer was ranked 43rd in the world. He has won about 20 professional tournaments, including the Race to Dubai in 2010, the 2010 PGA Championship and the 2011 WGC-HSBC Champions. In 2012, he sank a putt on the 18th hole of the Ryder Cup, retaining the cup for Europe and overturning a four-point deficit against the United States on the final day of the tournament. He has won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship three times and will compete here for the title for a fourth time.
How much do you travel for your work, and do you enjoy it?
I am on at least two flights a week for at least 30 weeks out of the year. I do enjoy it and I think you need to in this line of work. It is also a great privilege to travel so much and meet so many people from different cultures. As a professional golfer, I am constantly travelling around the world and need to arrive feeling relaxed, energised and ready to go. Little things make a big difference when you travel as much as we do. Etihad Airways’ standards and attention to detail are consistently high at every stage of the travel experience, which makes me happy each time I fly with them. I still haven’t actually sat down and counted how many countries I have been to.
What has been your favourite destination so far?
Well, Abu Dhabi is right up there. I have many good memories here and, for some reason, this place makes me calm. I’ve always enjoyed the desert.
Where do you go on holiday?
Home to Germany. Again, when you travel as much as we do, it becomes a rarity to actually sleep in your own bed. Hence a holiday for me is when I can do just that, see my friends, eat at the restaurants I like at home and just relax.
Where is home and what is your other main base?
My home is my birthplace, in Düsseldorf, Germany. When I am in the US, I base myself out of Scottsdale, Arizona.
What do you think of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general?
People in general are very friendly and relaxed here. Obviously it’s a great place to come and relax and play golf during the winter because the weather is quite reliable. Another thing that adds to the experience is that there is quite a variety of very good restaurants.
What are your favourite spots in Abu Dhabi?
So far, the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Etihad Flight Control Centre. I had the opportunity to spend some time in there the other day and it was amazing, just like in the movies. There are screens everywhere and all the controls and power are at the fingertips of the people in that room. It was fascinating to see how everything – and I mean everything – can be surveyed and witnessed in that room. I was equally impressed to hear how they use these systems to improve on the customer experience.
Have you been anywhere else in the Middle East, and if so, what did you think of it?
Yes. We go every year to Dubai and Qatar with the Tour. I enjoy all places, but Abu Dhabi suits me best. Dubai is obviously the place if you enjoy the more hectic and vibrant tempo and lifestyle that can be found in the big cities.
What do you dislike about travelling?
Being away from home.
Is it possible to travel light as a golfer? What do you always pack?
Not really, as we are often gone for a few weeks at a time. My suitcase pretty much always looks the same other than the fact that the colours of my Hugo Boss shirts change with the seasons. Fortunately, travelling this much has made me very good at packing.
Where will you travel to next?
I am going directly from here to Doha, Qatar, for the next tournament.
rbehan@thenational.ae