Q: Although you have won a major, where does winning the Race to Dubai stand in your list of career accomplishments and why?
A: To compare different accomplishments is a very difficult thing, almost, I’m guessing, like being asked which child you love the most. But the Race to Dubai would be right up there since it is really a year-long accomplishment. It shows that you have been the best not only for one tournament, but actually a whole season.
Q: What do you remember most about the week at Jumeirah Golf Estates in 2010?
A: Again, it’s hard to say, but I guess holing the 7-iron on the par-4 third for eagle in the first round gave me a boost. [Kaymer finished the week in a tie for 13th.]
Q: Can you assess the positives and negatives of your 2013 season so far?
A: I’m definitely taking a lot of positives with me from this year as I feel I’m progressing quite a lot, both on and off the golf course. I now feel that I have a solid platform to work from, going into 2014.
Q: You were a rookie on the PGA Tour this season. What were the challenges you found with travel, new courses, etc.?
A: To me, it’s all about finding a balance and figuring out what schedule will work for me going forward. I’ll change a few things next season and try to spend a bit more time at home in Germany when possible.
Q: You played on the Challenge Tour when starting out as a professional, and that circuit plays in some far-flung places. What’s the craziest thing you saw or experienced when touring some of those places?
A: Might not be the answer you are looking for, but I’ll turn this into the many things my team and I have had the privilege to experience. The wild thing to me is how much I have travelled already at a fairly young age, and the amount of people and cultures I have had the chance to meet and experience, and sometimes even get to know.
Q: You have had some incredible success in the Middle East, especially with three wins at the Abu Dhabi HSBC event. You make your US base in the desert of Arizona. What is it about the desert that connects with you?
A: It’s some sort of peace and comfort, for sure. I suppose I’ve always enjoyed the desert, just like many people enjoy the ocean.
Q: You were easily the best player in the world for a long stretch of 2010/11. Is getting back to No 1 something you think about? Seems like you, Luke, Lee and Rory have all had a few challenges since climbing the ladder.
A: I’m sure we can all agree that you have to learn from the experience as it adds things to your life that are very hard to prepare for or be prepared for. Experience is huge and we all now have it. Getting to No 1 is a result of playing very, very good for two years, so off course I’m definitely striving for it, just not in the way that many people might think. It’s not necessarily the number that we’re aiming for, but rather what it takes to get there: that is, winning and playing well on a very consistent basis.
jmcaley@thenational.ae
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