Kaymer out for six weeks, Rory McIlroy


has chance to find European Tour No 1

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy now stands a superb chance to finish the season as European Tour No 1 after confirmation that German Martin Kaymer will be sidelined for at least six weeks following a go-karting mishap.
Kaymer, the reigning French and Scottish Open champion, crashed into the rear of another kart earlier this week in Arizona and according to his manager, Johan Elliott, the 24-year old broke bones in the area above his three smallest toes on his left foot.
The injury continues recent foot problems for Kaymer who took a pair of scissors to new golf shoes during a pro-am in France after complaining of blisters. However Kaymer put the concern aside to win the pro-am and then a third Tour victory.
Kaymer heads the Race to Dubai money list with earnings this season of 1,982,054 Euro and just 16,904 Euro ahead of England's Paul Casey who is also on the side-lines for an indefinite period with a rib injury.
Kaymer went ahead of Casey on the money list in finishing sixth in last fortnight's US PGA Championship at Hazeltine.
Holywood (Belfast) ace McIlroy is lying in third place and 303,828 Euro adrift of Kaymer and 266,924 Euro behind Casey, whose injury forced him out of the recent US PGA and he later had it diagnosed as an intercostal muscle tear in his ribs.
If McIlroy were successful in finishing the year the leading money earner, he would become the second youngest player ever to capture the Harry Vardon Trophy.
McIlroy, who turned 20 in May, would be 11 months older than Seve Ballesterous when he captured the No 1 title in 1976.
McIlroy is into a second week break from the Tour before returning next week to the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, an event in which he finished runner-up in 2008.
In McIlroy's absence this week fellow Ulsterman Gareth Maybin continued his quest to join McIlroy as a Race to Dubai winner this year at a rain-affected Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
However Maybin could well have done with three smarter marshals patrolling the opening hole on the PGA Centenary course.
Maybin had to walk back and replay his tee shot after the marshals failed to spot the Ballyclare golfer's opening stroke of the 1.6m Euro event.
The European Tour rookie eventually walked off with a double bogey 6.
After also dropping a shot at the fifth, Maybin regrouped superbly, and using his belly putter to string together six birdies in 10 holes from the sixth before eventually finishing with a three under 69.
“Considering the start, I'm really pleased to finish three-under par,” he said after a round that included just 27 putts.
Bangor’s Jonathan Caldwell, as well as Damien McGrane and Paul McGinley, carded a level par 72 while Gary Murphy posted a 73.





http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport